Group stage has ended, now get ready for the real deal! Mali beat Mauritania 2-0 with ease to ensure top spot in their Group F while Tunisia fall to late defeat to Gambia – but still scrape through as third.The Mali team showed a mature performance worthy of any group winners. Meanwhile, Gambia proved that their results so far haven’t been flukes after overcoming wasteful Tunisia.Former Newcastle United defender Massadio Haidara got Mali off to a dream start on a hot night in Douala by smashing the ball into the net from close range after a Moussa Doumbia’s cross evaded everyone, leaving the left-back all alone on the far post.
Mauritania was praised by Mali coach Mohamed Magassouba ahead of the game as a country that’s been working tirelessly in developing their football organisations, but tonight’s match showed that they’ve still got a long way to go. Ibrahima Kone has already had a good chance to double the lead inside the opening 20 minutes, but Babacar Diop made a classy save to keep his team in the match. But Diop couldn’t do anything just a few minutes after the break when a reckless foul from his teammate Souleymane Karamoko resulted in a penalty. Kone stepped up and made it 2-0 as convincing Mali made a decisive stride towards the top spot in Group F.Mauritania waited for their chances patiently but were unable to turn them into goals when they came along. They relied heavily on set pieces to test goalkeeper Ibrahim Mounkoro and Bodda Mouhsine came close with a header that was expertly kept out by the Mazambe custodian.Mali could have made their win even more convincing but the result suited them and they rarely risked being caught out on the counter-attack with qualification secured.Meanwhile, in Limbe, Tunisian star Seifeddine Jaziri missed a penalty and failed to climb to second. They were punished late on when Ablie Jallow scored his second goal of the tournament to ensure second place and a clash with Gambia. The Tunisians will have a tough task to overcome Nigeria in the knockouts.AFRICA CUP OF NATIONSGroup FGambia – Tunisia 1-0 (0-0)/Jallow 90+3/Mali – Mauritania 2-0 (1-0)
/Haidara 2, Kone 49 pen/