An 82nd minute goal by Moussa Sissoko was all Mali needed to beat Zimbabwe in their Group D Day Two clash on Saturday in Rubavu.
Sissoko connected home from a Lassana Samake free-kick eight minutes from time to ensure the maximum points for ‘Les Aigles’ whilst Zimbabwe crashed out after tasting their second successive loss.
The Warriors, semi-finalists at the last edition in South Africa two years ago paid the price for their profligacy in front of goal in a game they were clearly the better side. Zimbabwe, thus becomes the first team from the group to learn their fate as far as a place at the next stage is concerned.
Sissoko connected home from a Lassana Samake free-kick eight minutes from time to ensure the maximum points for ‘Les Aigles’ whilst Zimbabwe crashed out after tasting their second successive loss.
The Warriors, semi-finalists at the last edition in South Africa two years ago paid the price for their profligacy in front of goal in a game they were clearly the better side. Zimbabwe, thus becomes the first team from the group to learn their fate as far as a place at the next stage is concerned.
The victory served a sweet revenge for the Malians who suffered a 2-1 loss against the Zimbabweans at the quarters two years ago.
Mali started well but it was Zimbabwe who came into the fore minutes later, dominating till the end.
The Southern Africans were unlucky to have ended the first half without a goal as they clearly had the better share of possession and coming close a couple of times.
Striker Rodreck Mutuma’s header bounced off the post from a Hardlife Zvirekwi cross on 27 minutes whilst Ronald Chitiyo shot into the waiting hands of Malian goalie Djigui Diarra after Edmore Chirambadare had done all the work and squared to him.
The second half was no different and Tatenda Mudehwe saw his goal bound shot after Mutuma back-heeled to him missing target narrowly few minutes after recess.
Mali barely made their present felt in the game but punished their opponents the hard way in the dying minutes as Sissoko tapped home Samake’s free-kick at the edge of the penalty area.
Orange Man of the Match
Moussa Sissoko (Mali)
Mali started well but it was Zimbabwe who came into the fore minutes later, dominating till the end.
The Southern Africans were unlucky to have ended the first half without a goal as they clearly had the better share of possession and coming close a couple of times.
Striker Rodreck Mutuma’s header bounced off the post from a Hardlife Zvirekwi cross on 27 minutes whilst Ronald Chitiyo shot into the waiting hands of Malian goalie Djigui Diarra after Edmore Chirambadare had done all the work and squared to him.
The second half was no different and Tatenda Mudehwe saw his goal bound shot after Mutuma back-heeled to him missing target narrowly few minutes after recess.
Mali barely made their present felt in the game but punished their opponents the hard way in the dying minutes as Sissoko tapped home Samake’s free-kick at the edge of the penalty area.
Orange Man of the Match
Moussa Sissoko (Mali)
By: Cafonline.com
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