CHAN 2020: Mali take out Congo-Brazzaville on penalties and return to the semi-finals
Congolese Aimé Nkounkou Maleka wrestling with Malian Issaka Samaké, January 30, 2021 © Courtesy of CAF
Text by: Nicolas Bamba Follow
3 min
After a closed quarter-final at the Ahmadou-Ahidjo stadium in Yaoundé, Mali overcame the Red Devils of Congo on Saturday, January 30.
The two selections had to go through penalties to decide.
And it was the Malian Eagles who won by not missing any attempt, while Congo-Brazzaville missed a shot (0-0, 5 shots on goal to 4).
For the second time in its history, Mali will play the semi-finals of CHAN.
It will be against the winner of Guinea-Rwanda.
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With three goals scored by Mali in the first round and only two on the Congo-Brazzaville side, the first quarter-final of
CHAN 2020
did not promise to be particularly spectacular in the offensive sector.
And indeed, the spectators were not entitled to an avalanche of goals in Yaoundé.
The score went blank from kick-off to the end of extra time.
No defense has cracked
More accustomed to the knockout games of CHAN than their opponents, the Malians showed good intentions in their offensives, without however managing to put constant pressure on the Congolese cage.
The main danger came from Issaka Samaké, twirling to the right side and dangerous in his crosses and set pieces.
But no teammate has managed to convert their offerings, and Pavelh Ndzila, the Congolese goalkeeper, has been brilliant on every attempt.
Overall dominating on the field (56% of possession) and more enterprising in attack, the players coached by Nouhoum Diané failed to find the opening within an applied Congolese defense.
And with the clock ticking, the decision on penalties was obvious.
Prince Mouandza Mapata, unhappy hero
The penalty shootout is always cruel for a team, sometimes for a player.
This Saturday, the clouds are very dark above the Congolese heads.
And it is to Prince Mouandza Mapata that returns the very little envied title of unhappy hero.
On January 21, the right-back defender guided his team by scoring the 1-1 goal against Niger.
Against Mali, he hastened his elimination.
Very first shooter, Prince Mouandza Mapata presented himself against the Malian goalkeeper and captain, Djigui Diarra, and crossed his shot too much.
The ball went past the post.
And no other shooter failed afterwards.
Congo-Brazzaville therefore stops in the quarter-finals, as in 2018. For Mali, declared candidate for the title, it is a winning return.
Out in the first round of CHAN in 2011, quarter-finalist in 2014 and finalist in 2016, the Eagles regain the last four.
On February 3, they will face the winner of the
quarter-final
between Guinea and Rwanda.
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