Winning start for Bissouma's Mali at AFCON
Tue 16 January 2024, 22:00|
Tottenham Hotspur
Yves Bissouma started as Mali made a winning start to Group E at the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday night.
Facing South Africa in their group stage opener at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Korhogo, Ivory Coast, Mali claimed all three points thanks to two goals in the space of six second-half minutes to lift them to the top of the group after matchday one.
Despite the win, Mali almost made the worst of starts to the game when they conceded a penalty on 17 minutes. However, South Africa and former Brighton forward Percy Tau fired over the bar from 12-yards.
Managing to keep Bafana Bafana at bay for the rest of the first period before Real Sociedad's Hamari Traoré tapped in from close range to put Mali in front on the hour mark. Then, just six minutes later, a neat team move was finished off by Auxerre forward Lassine Sinayoko to secure the win.
Yves started the clash and played 58 minutes before being substituted. It was the midfielder's 25th cap for his nation.
