U23 AFCON: Mali overturn deficit to beat Gabon

Gabon led after only 180 seconds of play on the lawn of the Ibn-Batouta stadium in Tangier, but Mali finally defeated the Central Africans (3-1), on Sunday.

It took the Panthers three minutes to open the scoring. Following a foul by goalkeeper Lassine Diarra on Mouniengue Mbongui in the area, Emmanuel Ovono converted the penalty and sent Gabon ahead.

It was short-lived lead, since after a quarter of an hour of play, the Mali equalized – through a penalty by Mamadou Sangaré, after a foul by Romess Essogo on Ibrahima Cissé, verified by VAR.

After a first shot was stopped by the goalkeeper but later canceled by the referee, the Salzburg attacking midfielder did not miss his second chance and sent a cannonball into the top corner of François Bekale (1-1, 20th).

The Eagles then doubled their advantage from the scoreboard. On a smooth counterattack, Boubacar Traoré centered back for Cheickna Doumbia who beat the goalkeeper with a sharp finish at the near post for 2-1.

Trailing for the first time, Gabon was reduced to ten following the exclusion of goalkeeper François Bekale, guilty of a handball outside the penalty area, while he was out far from his goal in front of Mamadou Sangaré (45th + 7).

The pace of the game fell in the second half, with very few clear chances to get their teeth into.

Only Cheickna Doumbia caused a scare in the Gabonese defense with a curled shot flirting over with crossbar at the 79th minute.

Mali quietly managed their lead by circulating the leather across the width, before finally knocking out their challengers in stoppage time. Served in an armchair by Coli Saco, Alhassane Tamboura executed with a powerful shot close to the post (3-1, 90th + 2).

Mali thus took the leadership of group B (3 points) ahead of Egypt, authors of a draw with Niger (0-0) earlier in the evening. Gabon is in last place. Baolara Alou Diallo and his men will face Egypt on Wednesday for the second group game. Gabon will oppose Niger.