CHAN 2020: Cameroon and Mali do not separate
During the Cameroon-Mali match, at CHAN 2020 © Courtesy of CAF
Text by: David Kalfa Follow
3 min
The Cameroon and Mali teams drew 1-1 in the first round of the African Nations Championship (CHAN 2020), this January 20, 2021 in Yaoundé.
Cameroonians and Malians remain co-leaders of group A, during this CHAN 2020.
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We will still have to wait to know the first team qualified for the quarter-finals of the African Nations Championship (CHAN 2020).
Cameroon, host country of the tournament, and Mali, had the possibility of qualifying as of January 20, 2021, in case of victory.
But, despite a very lively game, neither of the two groups was able to gain the upper hand.
Thunderous start
The start of this ninth match of "CHAN 2020"
[1]
, the second for Cameroonians and Malians in Group A, is spectacular.
From the 6th minute, following a free kick from the right, Lions captain Salomon Bindjeme Banga opened the scoring with an uncrossed header: 1-0.
The reaction was not long in coming.
In the 12th minute, Issaka Samake equalized with a superb curled free kick: 1-1.
The Eagles then miss the 2-0 when Moussa Koné appears alone against Haschou Kerrido but almost shoots the local doorman (21st).
Mali is pushing
After the break, visitors are still dangerous.
In the 52nd minute, a center-shot from Moussa Ballo struck the Cameroonian right upright.
Around the hour mark, the Malians are saved by their crossbar, when a cross from Hassana Mamoudou is deflected by Yacoumba Doumbia.
In the seconds that follow, on a counter-attack, Moussa Koné serves on a plateau Sadio Kanouté, but the latter loses his duel against Kerrido.
After this crazy double opportunity, the two teams slow down.
With 4 points each, they have a good chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals of this CHAN 2020. However, on condition of confirming against Burkina Faso for Cameroon and against Zimbabwe for Mali, on January 24th.
CHAN 2020: CALENDAR AND TOURNAMENT RESULTS
[1] The African Football Confederation has decided that the competition will continue to be called TOTAL African Nations Championship Cameroon 2020, despite the tournament being postponed to 2021 due to the Covid-19.
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