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Equatorial Guinea edges Mali to advance at Cup of Nations

(Reuters) (The Jakarta Post)
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Fri, January 28, 2022

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Equatorial Guinea edges Mali to advance at Cup of Nations

E

quatorial Guinea continued its giant-killing run as it reached the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations with a 6-5 penalty shootout victory over Mali after a goalless draw in Limbe on Wednesday.

Equatorial Guinea is the final side to advance to the last eight, where it meets Senegal on Sunday, and had its 20-year-old goalkeeper Jesus Owono to thank for its progress as he made two saves in the shootout which was concluded after 16 kicks.

Mali had been the overwhelming favorite but turned in an underwhelming performance, despite dominating possession and creating most of the chances.

Owono saved the final kick from Mali defender Falaye Sacko although it was checked first by virtual assistant referee (VAR) to see whether he had advanced off his line before the kick was taken.

He had indeed moved forward but his back foot was still trailing on the line as Sacko took his penalty and the kick was allowed to stand by the referee, setting off tear-filled celebrations.

Equatorial Guinea had beaten defending champion Algeria and Sierra Leone in the group stage and has now added another major scalp.

It had no real chances in the game but never allowed Mali to get into any rhythm, proving difficult to break down.

Mali was awarded a penalty in the 40th minute when Josete Miranda knocked over Moussa Doumbia.

Yet referee Bakary Gassama was encouraged to look again at his decision and, after consulting the pitchside VAR screen, changed his mind and overturned what had looked a soft penalty award.

Mali striker Ibrahima Kone shot wide on the turn early on and near the end of the first half Amadou Haidara had a good chance to open the scoring but did not connect properly with his effort.

As the game wore on, the clear-cut chances dwindled, with Mali making no progress into the Equatorial Guinea penalty area while the underdogs waited for rare opportunities on the counterattack.

“It’s historic for us to get this far and it comes after excellent work by my players,” said coach Juan Micha.

His Mali counterpart Mohamed Magassouba, whose country plays in World Cup playoffs in March, said: “It’s an incredible disappointment because it should not have even gone to penalties. We deserved more today."

 

Hero goalie

Egypt booked a quarterfinal place at the Africa Cup of Nations with a 5-4 shootout victory over the Ivory Coast on Wednesday as substitute goalkeeper Mohamed Abo Gabal saved Eric Bailly's tame penalty and Mohamed Salah stroked home the decisive spot kick.

The match finished 0-0 after extra time before Abo Gabal, who had replaced the injured Mohamed El Shennawy, pushed a casual effort from Ivorian defender Bailly onto the crossbar and Salah struck the winning penalty from his trademark long run-up.

Seven-time winner Egypt now faces North African rival Morocco in an enticing quarterfinal at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaounde on Sunday.

It was a lively match at the Japoma Stadium in Douala in which both sides created enough chances to win the game, but also at times lacked quality in the attacking third at either end in another largely quiet outing for Egypt captain Salah.

Egypt is seeking its first continental title since 2010 having surprisingly fallen at the last-16 stage on home soil in 2019.

The Pharaohs, who have now progressed on all five occasions they have met the Ivory Coast in the knockout stages at the finals, reach the last eight having only scored two goals in their four matches.

Their opponents had been more fluent in attack in recent matches but came up against a stoic Egyptian defense that was organized and unyielding.

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