AFCON: Mali and Senegal set up quarter-final clash

Ten-man Mali staged a heroic fightback to defeat Tunisia on penalties in a dramatic Africa Cup of Nations last-16 encounter. Despite losing Woyo Coulibaly to a straight red card in the 26th minute, the Eagles refused to fold under immense pressure in Casablanca.

The match appeared decided when Tunisia’s Firas Chaouat nodded a looping cross into the bottom corner in the 88th minute. However, late drama saw Mali awarded a stoppage-time penalty for handball, which Lassine Sinayoko coolly slotted home to force the game into extra time.

In the ensuing shootout, goalkeeper Djigui Diarra emerged as the hero by producing two brilliant saves to deny the Carthage Eagles. El Bilal Toure then stepped up to fire home the decisive kick, securing a 3-2 victory and sparking wild celebrations for the shorthanded Malians.

Meanwhile, defending champions Senegal overcame an early scare to comfortably beat Sudan 3-1. After falling behind to a shock curling strike from Aamir Abdallah, Pape Gueye spearheaded the Lions of Teranga's comeback with a clinical first-half brace.

Gueye’s second, a neat finish from a Nicolas Jackson cutback, gave Senegal the lead before 17-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye climbed off the bench to seal the result. Senegal now advance to meet Mali in a mouth-watering quarter-final clash scheduled for next Friday in Tangiers.