The Video Assistant Referee System (VAR) prevented the Mali team from catching up with the convoy of qualifying for the first round of the African Nations Cup, which is currently being held in Cameroon, after its 1-1 draw with its Gambian counterpart on Sunday in the second round of Group F matches.
The Mali team raised its score to four points, evenly with Gambia, at the top of the group, but neither of them has yet guaranteed qualification for the final price of the tournament.
The first half of the match ended with a goalless tie, which remained between the two teams until the 79th minute, which witnessed the goal that Ibrahima Kony scored for Mali from a penalty kick, then the 90th minute witnessed the equalizer for Gambia from another penalty kick scored by Moussa Barrow.
The two teams met today for the first time in the African Nations Cup, as it is the first ever participation of Gambia in the continental tournament.
And both teams won in the first round with the same score 1-0, as Gambia beat Mauritania and Mali beat Tunisia in a controversial match.
🧤 Modu Gobi saves his net from an accomplished goal #African NationsCup |
#Gambia_Mali #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 |
#AFCON2021 pic.twitter.com/tddrD1FuYF
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) January 16, 2022
The Gambia team did not show any intimidation in the face of its ancient Malian counterpart, who has the capabilities and tours on the African arena. She wore the first from the crossbar and the second from the post.
In the second half, the Mali team intensified its offensive attempts, while Gambia's performance declined relatively in the first half, as the team was content with the defensive side most of the time.
The VAR system gave the Mali team hope to win the match after the referee awarded a penalty kick after reviewing the VAR system, but minutes later he was forced to review the same system to award the Gambia team a penalty kick, from which the equalizer came in the last minute.