Mali booked their place in the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) after a hard-fought but lacklustre goalless encounter with Comoros in Casablanca.
Both teams found it hard to carve out clear openings and it took until the 42nd minute before either managed a shot on target.
Kamory Doumbia came closest to breaking the deadlock, although the midfielder knew little about the fierce shot from Eagles team-mate Nathan Gassama that struck his shin and deflected a hair’s breadth past the post 10 minutes into the second half.
Substitute El Fardou Ben had Comoros’ best chance, seeing a left-footed drive from an angle bring a fine one-handed save from Djigui Diarra, while Rafiki Said had an effort cleared off the line which was then correctly ruled offside by a late flag.
Mali substitute Amadou Haidara was the recipient of an extremely harsh red card with two minutes of regular time to play, but even with 10 men the West Africans had no problem holding on for a draw to finish Group A unbeaten with three points, while Comoros’ two points will not be enough to see them finish as one of the best third-place sides because of their inferior goal difference.
Results in Group A and Group B on Monday mean Benin, Sudan and Mozambique are all now guaranteed passage through to the last 16 before their respective final fixtures.
Mali’s reward for second place in Group A behind hosts Morocco is a tie against the runners-up from Group C – Tunisia, Tanzania or Uganda – in Casablanca on Saturday (19:00 GMT).
VAR in the spotlight again
This stalemate was perhaps no surprise given the two teams know each other well, having met twice in their recent World Cup qualifying campaigns.
Mali won both of those games 3-0, but there was never any sign of that scoreline being repeated in Casablanca.
Eagles boss Tom Saintfiet made four changes to the side which held hosts Morocco last time out, with three of those coming in a rejigged midfield.
Comoros made three changes of their own after keeping their first-ever Afcon clean sheet last time out in another goalless draw against Zambia, with Faiz Selemani’s selection in the number 10 position ahead of captain Youssouf M’Changama being the most eye-catching.
Striker Myziane Maolida, who had a goal chalked off by the video assistant referee (VAR) against Zambia, wasted a good early chance for the Coelacanths, getting his feet in a tangle on the edge of the penalty area after being sent clear.
Nene Dorgeles was the first to hit the target, with his effort saved by Yannick Pandor after Selemani was caught overplaying on the edge of his box, while Mohamed Camara stung Pandor’s palms from long range two minutes later.
Quality chances were also few and far between in the second period, meaning the intervention of VAR stood out as a moment of drama.
Referee Alhadji Allaou Mahamat initially saw nothing wrong in Haidara’s challenge on M’Changama – who by this point was on as Comoros searched for a winner – but was called to review his decision on the pitchside monitor.
With both players raising their legs, replays clearly showed Haidara winning the ball ahead of M’Changama, whose follow through appeared to kick the Lens midfielder’s boot.
But Mahamat agreed with the VAR that the angle of Haidara’s boot and studs had endangered his opponent, with the straight red card meaning a suspension heading into the knockout stage.
Having been critical of the officials in the draw with Morocco, Saintfiet is likely to feel hard done by once more.
Despite that, Mali will fancy their chances of reaching the 2025 Afcon latter stages, especially with Tottenham midfielder and Eagles skipper Yves Bissouma having used the group stage to build his match fitness after injury.
For Comoros, who went unbeaten in qualification, there will be no repeat of the heroics which saw the Indian Ocean islanders beat Ghana to make the second round on their tournament debut in 2022.
