Ex-PSL Coach Bows Out As Senegal Advance To Semis

Photo by Mahugnon Leopold Soglo/Gallo Images

Senegal advanced to the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 win over ten-man Mali on Friday evening.

2025 Africa Cup of Nations

Result: Mali 0-1 Senegal

Date: 09 January 2026

Venue: Stade Ibn Batouta

The Lions of Teranga were boosted by the return of the defender Kalidou Koulibaly from suspension following their big win over Sudan in the round of 16, while Mali were without the services of Woyo Coulibaly who was sent off in the win over Tunisia last weekend.

Senegal dominated possession in the early stages of the encounter looking for the early goal but they were unable to carve out any serious openings in and around the 18-yard area in the opening 15 minutes, while Mali were happy to sit back and soak up the pressure.

The deadlock was eventually broken in the 28th minute when goalkeeper Krepin Diatta spilled Djigui Diarra’s cross in the six-yard area, allowing Iliman Ndiaye to fire into the back of the net for his first goal of the competition and hand Senegal a deserved lead.

Mali’s hopes to secure a comeback suffered a blow in first-half stoppage time when key midfielder Yves Bossouma was sent off after picking up his second yellow card of the game, as the have now had red cards in back-to-back knockout games at this year’s tournament.

The Lions of Teranga came out firing in the second half in search of more goals but they nearly conceded an equaliser ten minutes in when Abdoulaye Diaby got on the end of a free-kick in the box, but his first-time strike forced goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

Senegal had chances of their own to extend their lead as the second stanza as Mane went close with a powerful strike from just outside the area that forced Diarra into a fine save, before Pathe Ciss saw his towering header sail over the crossbar after 68 minutes.

Tom Saintfiet’s charges threw bodies forward in search of an equaliser despite the numerical disadvantage in the latter stages of the second half, but the Lions of Teranga were able to see out the rest of contest to claim the win and book their spot in the final four.

Related tags