Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Zambia captain and former Nations Cup winner, Christopher Katongo
Mali fought tooth and nail to earn a deserved 0-0 draw against already qualified Zambia Chipolopolo in a tough match played at the Regional Stadium in Kigali in a Group D game on Wednesday evening.
Mali came into the game needing a draw which paved way for them to go through to the quarterfinals where they join the Chipolopolo who had already qualified after beating Zimbabwe 1-0 and Uganda 1-0 in their previous group matches.
The game begun in a blistering pace with the Eagles of Mali playing long balls forward in search of their target man Sinayoko, who was however tightly marked by the Chipolopolo defenders.
In the 13 the minute Chipolopolo defender Munthali connected a beautiful Christopher Katongo’s corner-kick, but the Eagles defender Hamed Marius cleared the ball away from danger.
In the 21st minute Mali striker Sekou Koita’ solo run was thwarted when keeper Banda came out rushing collecting the dangerous the ball with ease.
The tempo of the game continued to rise and in the 28th minute Zambia keeper forced another great save saving a hard shot unleashed by Mali midfielder Aliou as the scores stood at 0-0.
Two minutes later Zambia midfielder Spencer Sautu beat two Mali defenders before firing wide off the target.
In the 34th a blistering shot by Mali’s Lassana Samake from outside the box was blocked by Chipolopolo keeper Jacob Banda.
The game went to the break still barren at 0-0.
The second half was not a different ball game as both coaches sort to effect tactical changes with both teams showing signs of urgency on the ball in the early stages of the second-half.
Zambia coach George Lwandamina brought on Buchizya Mfune for Spencer Sautu and Adamson Mulao for Patson Daka while Mali coach took off Abdoulaye Diarra for N’Guessan Kouame also bringing on Mamadou Collibaly for Sekou Koita.