Senegal edges 10-man Mali to book Africa Cup semifinal

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Iliman Ndiaye’s first-half goal was enough for Senegal to beat 10-man Mali 1-0 in the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations on Friday.

Ndiaye headed the ball home from close range in the 27th minute after Malian goalkeeper Djigui Diarra let Krépin Diatta’s cross slip through his fingers and land at Ndiaye’s feet.

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The wintry rain that soaked the tournament started falling early at the Grand Stade de Tangier and would not have helped Diarra keep the ball.

Malian captain Yves Bissouma had already been booked for a foul on Sadio Mané as his side got off to a brave start, and the Eagles’ hopes took a major blow when he received a second yellow card before the break for a foul on Idrissa Gueye.

Referee Abongile Tom had already sent off Woyo Coulibaly in Mali’s previous match, a penalty shootout victory over Tunisia, and Bissouma’s sending off represented the team’s third sending off in as many matches.

Senegal missed further chances thanks to Diarra saving from Mané in stoppage time.

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The 2021 champion awaits the winner between Ivory Coast and Egypt in the first semi-final, also in Tangier, on Wednesday.

Hosts Morocco faced five-time champions Cameroon in a duel between the Atlas Lions and the Indomitable Lions in the second quarter-final later on Friday.

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AP at the African Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations