Tunisia task awaits Senegal
Monday, February 2, 2004
Article summary
Mali drew 1-1 with Senegal to secure top spot in Group B and avoid a quarter-final meeting with hosts Tunisia.
Article body
Mali held 2002 FIFA World Cup quarter-finalists Senegal to a 1-1 draw on Monday to secure top spot in Group B and avoid a meeting with hosts Tunisia in the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations.
Wait over
Mali finished two points ahead of the group favourites, who will instead be playing against the Tunisians on Saturday in the last eight. In the section's other match, Kenya, playing in their fifth finals, finally won their first match at the 14th time of asking with a 3-0 defeat of Burkina Faso in Bizerte. Dennis Oliech, Emmanuel Ake and John Baraza scored the goals.
Regulars rested
Mali, with several regulars rested, took the lead against Senegal on 34 minutes when striker Dramane Traoré headed in a long speculative cross. Senegal grew stronger towards the end of the half with Liverpool FC striker El Hadji Diouf having a shot saved at point-blank range by Mahamadou Sidibé.
Spectacular equaliser
The Senegalese, runners-up at the last Cup of Nations, finally forced an equaliser in added time at the end of the first half when Olympique de Marseille player Habib Beye headed in Salif Diao's free-kick. Mali now meet Guinea in Saturday's first quarter-final in Tunis, while Senegal play the hosts in Rades later the same day.
