Izuchukwu Okosi
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The Eagles of Mali kicked off their TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon 2021 campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Tunisia in Limbé albeit in controversial circumstances.
Ibrahima Kone scored from the spot two minutes into the second half after Ellyes Joris Skhiri was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the area.
Tunisia had a penalty of their own 15 minutes from time, but captain Wahbi Khazri saw his effort saved by Bosso Ibrahim.
The Eagles were reduced to 10 men in the closing stages following El Bilal Toure’s heavy challenge on Skhiri.
The West Africans dominated proceeding in Limbé with their free-flowing football forcing the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia to sit deep.
Ibrahim Kone showed flashes of his ability inside two minutes, dropping a shoulder before forcing a corner from Ben Said in the Tunisian goal.
The end of the match was marred by the controversial decision of the match referee to put the game off seconds before the end of regulation time. The Malians returned to the pitch to play the remaining time, but the Tunisians preferred not to return to immediately look into the next match.
Mali’s victory sends them to the top of the group before their second match against The Gambia on 16 January. The Scorpions will play Mauritania in the second match of Group F.
It was a day of history for The Gambia’ Scorpions who achieved a historic feat by winning their first match for their first appearance in AFCON finals.
The RFC midfielder Seraing also entered the history of Gambian football, scoring the only goal of the match, the first goal by the country at the tournament.
All eyes were on Group E once again as Cote d’Ivoire played out an entertaining match against Equatorial Guinea in their opening fixture of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations at the Japoma Stadium in Douala on Wednesday.
Patrice Beaumelle’s side shot to the top of Group E after a 1-0 victory against the well drilled Nzalang Naciona. Cote d’Ivoire were coming into the match as favourites opened the scoring early on.
Max-Alain Gradel’s right footed shot from outside the box found the top right corner of the net to beat Equatorial Guinea Keeper Manuel Mbara Sapunga in spectacular fashion.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
