Mali secured their qualification to the U17 FIFA World Cup on Thursday 11 May after booking a spot in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations U-17 semi finals courtesy of a huge 3-0 victory over Congo in the quarter finals matchup staged at the 19 May 1956 Stadium in Algiers, Algeria.First half goals from Ange Martial Tia and Mamadou Doumbia gave Mali a 2-0 lead heading to the halftime break before Mahamoud Barry added a third 11 minutes after the break to confirm the winning run for Soumaila Coilibaly’s men.##NAJAVA_MECA_7244763##Mali began proceedings on a high, and almost scored the opener minutes into the game when right back Souleymane Sanogo attempted a shot that was well saved by Congo goalkeeper Chelcy Prince Exaucé Bonazebi.It wouldn’t take long for the Eaglets to take the lead as Angel Martial Tia perfectly timed his run to run in behind Congo’s defense.🇲🇱 🦅 ➡️ #U17FWC Mali secure their qualification to the U17 FIFA World Cup after booking their spot in the 2023 #TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 semi-finals 🔝 pic.twitter.com/qPASzK3QSd— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 2023 🏆 (@CAF_Online) May 11, 2023 The lanky 16 year old midfielder took on three defenders before opening up his right foot to slot in the game’s first goal.Congo then came close to an equalizer through Joseph Archange Ndzoukou but his long-range shot from the left sailed inches over the bar.Congratulations Mahamoud Barry, our #MLICGO TotalEnergies Man of the Match! 🏅🔝 #TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 | @Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/iP2GiiQ9lg— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 2023 🏆 (@CAF_Online) May 11, 2023 Mali found the right moment to double the scores through Mamadou Doumbia as he received the ball on the turn inside the 18-yard box to coolly direct his shot to the bottom corner.The goal had come just a minute before he had his close shot pinged off the keeper.At the end of the first half, Mali were in the driving seat and deservedly so.Firat calls for Harambee Stars’ cooperation with developed FA’sThe third goal for the team that has now won all matches in the competition came just 11 minutes after the break as Mahamoud Barry converted from the spot to make it 3-0 and pull the game away from Fabrizio Cesana’s men.A reprieve for Congo came late on in the fifth minute of added time when they were awarded a penalty by VAR- making its first time appearance in this stage of the competition- but Bourama Koné stood tall in goal to deflect the spot-kick off the upright.With the result, Mali will play Morocco in the competition’s semifinals slated for Sunday 14 May 2023 at the Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium.In the other quarter final on Thursday, Nigeria will face Burkina Faso at 2200 EAT.
