WCQ: Stage Fright Bears Down On Sissako, As Tunisia Defeat Mali

Tunisia won Mali one – nil on Mali’s patch on Friday, March 25 in the first leg of the 2022 World Cup play-offs, with young Moussa Sissako, making only his fourth appearance for Mali, receiving red after having netted against his goalie.

Under a scorching heat of 39 degrees at the Stade du 26-Mars, Jalel Kadri’s men won the battle of the two Eagles.

Despite dominating chunks of the game, the Malians were weighed down by huge errors from their young defender Moussa Sissako, who was later sent off after netting an own goal.

By winning in Bamako (Mali), the Carthage Eagles therefore take a step to Qatar before the return match in Rades (Tunisia), which comes up on Tuesday March 29, 2022.

Sissako’s own goal at the 36th minute and his follow through red card (40) gifted the Tunisians the edge.

the battle had started well with rhythm despite somebad tackles. It was Mali who took control of the match by pilling pressure on the Tunisians. After a first attempt from Abdoulaye Diaby in the area (17th), a strike from Dorgeles Nene (29th) almost deceived Béchir Ben Saïd.

Then came the Moussa Sissako disaster occurred. The young defender of Standard Liège had a nightmare in the space of five minutes. The Malian scored an own goal. Not any under sort of pressure, the central defender defender’s back pass was too heavy and couldn’t be kept under check by his goalkeeper. Five minutes later, while Seifeddine Jaziri was racing alone towards goal, Moussa Sissako voluntarily interrupted the run of the Zamalek SC striker. He was expelled logically by the referee. At halftime, the Malians were trailing 1-0 against the run of play.

From the start of the second period, the Eagles of Mali showed much heart. From the first minutes, the men of Magassouba almost drew level from an overpowered strike from Adama Traoré at the 51st minute. The home side pushed until the end to pick up equalise but they didn’t manage to break the Tunisian lock.