Mali continues its rise to power.
Finalists in 1972 and semi-finalists in 2012 and 2013, the Eagles could play a spoilsport role in the lower part of the table free of Egypt and Senegal.
After a promising first round (1st in their group and undefeated against South Africa and Tunisia), they logically won this Tuesday at the expense of Burkina Faso (2-1) in the round of 16 of the African Cup nations thanks to two goals scored at the start of each period.
Solid defensively (two goals conceded including a penalty), Eric Chelle's men will not present themselves as expiatory victims this Saturday against Ivory Coast, the miraculous host country.
The meeting promises to be tempting and indecisive.
[🎞️RESUME] 🏆🌍 #CAN2023
🇲🇱🇧🇫 CSC, penalty, goal in a mouse hole, equalization canceled in the last seconds...
👉 Burkina-Faso believed in it until the end, but it's the Mali who will face Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals! #MLIBFA #beINCAN2023
— beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) January 30, 2024
On their first offensive, the Eagles made the difference.
After a cross from the right, Haïdara bursts out and places an angry header which bounces off the post before returning to Edmond Tapsoba, surprised, who slips the leather into his own net (1-0, 3rd).
Showered by this bad start, the Burkinabés are subjected to the domination of the Malians.
Their goalkeeper Koffi twice repels the attempts of Auxerre striker Lassine Sinayoko, well placed (30th and 36th).
Returning from the locker room, the latter succeeds in his duel in front of Koffi and makes the break for Mali (2-0, 47th).
In the process, Burkina Faso obtains a penalty for a loose arm from Kouyaté in the penalty area.
Bertrand Traoré transforms it (2-1, 57th).
This is his third since the start of the competition.
Despite a final rush and several situations, the Burkinabés did not manage to equalize.
It will therefore be up to Mali to challenge the host country on Saturday afternoon (6 p.m.) at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké.