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The joy of the Ivorians after their victory against the Malians, in the round of 16 of CAN 2019. Pierre René-Worms / RFI

Lost by a lack of efficiency in attack, the Malians were eliminated (1-0) of the CAN 2019 July 8, in the round of 16, by Côte d'Ivoire who was realistic. The Eagles can feed great regrets. The Elephants, they can be considered happy before challenging Algeria in the quarterfinals.

With our special envoy to Suez,

The curse continues for Mali, which has never beaten Côte d'Ivoire in the African Cup. This fourth defeat of the Eagles in five confrontations really looks like broken Ivorian, so the Elephants have long had their heads underwater before making speak their offensive realism, Monday, July 8, in the last 16 of the finals. CAN 2019 .

In this meeting, however, Mali had early enough to race ahead. But in the 11th minute, Moussa Marega, well launched in the area, chose the collective option instead take his chance against Sylvain Gbohouo.

Dominant Eagles face Elephants

If the Eagles show a better technical mastery, the Elephants, they have difficulty finding themselves as soon as they cross the middle. There are few opportunities, but Mali builds more, dares more face shy Ivorians, even febrile in the image of Gbohouo who commits a hand foul on corner that could have been fatal to his (17th). By cons, the doorman catches up quickly with a nice tap on a free kick from Diaby who took the direction of the skylight (21st).

The Malian Moussa Marega among the Ivorians, July 8, 2019. Pierre René-Worms / RFI

More at ease technically, Eagles gradually take the good end of the meeting. And playing head-on does not explain everything in Ivorians' shortcomings. Ibrahim Kamara's men play a game that is a little too stereotypical, which consists in systematically searching for Nicolas Pépé or Wilfried Zaha on the sides and asking as little as possible the circles, of which Franck Kessié is invisible. The champions of Africa 2015 are even distressing at times in their attempts to exit the ball that turn into release in disaster.

Mali deserves to take the lead, but Moussa Marega misses the frame after a good overflow followed by a pass behind Moussa Djenepo (42).

The failure of Kodja, the realism of Zaha!

The Eagles are pleasant to see playing with a midfielder as hardworking as technical, as intelligent in the game as inspired in his passes, but the men of Mohamed Magassouba are terribly inefficient. As in the 52nd, when Youssouf Koné, well launched by Moussa Marega, asks too many questions when challenging Gbohouo, to the point of losing its balance.

The Ivorians, they are barely better in this second period, but have difficulty to show themselves in attack, except Jonathan Kodja. But not in the best way. In the 67th minute, he simply misses the match! On a deep pass, the Aston Villa striker, alone against Djigui Diarra who slips, misses the inevitable by not framing his shot. The Eagles were hot. This is only a postponement; Wilfried Zaha, he does not miss the opportunity to put his team ahead taking advantage of a mistake Youssouf Koné. He beats Djigui Diarra behind (75th). A goal against the course of the game that sounds like the perfect heist for Elephants.

Ivorian Jonatahn Kodjia faces Mali goalkeeper Diarra. RFI / Pierre René-Worms

The Eagles rush to attack but in a disorganized manner, and Ivory Coast holds to the end counting on Gbohouo, who comes out a big parade in the playoffs on a shot of "Noss" Traore.

Strong, if not convincing, Ivorians will return to Algeria on Thursday 11 July in the quarterfinals in Suez (16h GMT, 18h Paris time).

See also ► 2019 CAN Calendar, Results and Standings

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