Played
January 28, 2013 12:00 PM EST
Moses Mabhida Stadium — Durban
Referee: D. Haïmoudi
Attendance: 8000
January 28, 2013 12:00 PM EST
Moses Mabhida Stadium — Durban
Referee: D. Haïmoudi
Attendance: 8000
Top of the Match
To Be Announced Shortly
Mamadou Samassa
Mali
Mali
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating DR Congo 1-1 Mali: Eagles earn AFCON quarterfinal ticket following stalemate
The Malians and Congolese shared the spoils in their final Group B encounter, sending the Eagles through to the next round of the competition.
By Peter Pedroncelli
Gettyimages
Mali drew 1-1 with DR Congo in a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations Group B clash on Monday night in Durban, South Africa, guaranteeing the Malians a ticket to the quarterfinals of the competition.
Goals from Congo and Anderlecht striker Dieumerci Mbokani, and Mali's Mamadou Samassa produced the stalemate, which eliminated Congo from the tournament.
A number the AFCON matches have been slow at the start, with the action peaking in the second half, and often only in the dying minutes of the encounters have goals been scored. This match was a completely different story, though, with DR Congo's Lomana LuaLua hitting the post in the first minute of the game, before Mali conceded a third-minute penalty. Mbokani converted the spot kick, giving the Congolese the lead very early on.
The Eagles respond to that strike soon after, though, and in the 15th minute Adama Tamboura sent in a tight angle cross to a confident Samassa, who equalized for his side.
The Congolese found themselves on the back foot at that stage, with Mali growing in confidence after a poor defensive start. Mali continued to push forward, but despite its hold on possession, it was only able to create a handful of decent chances, which were not converted.
Both teams were aware that the winner would advance to the quarterfinals of the competition, but neither of the two squads seemed capable of outdoing the other, and in contrast to a frantic and entertaining first few minutes, the last section of the game was scrappy.
With 10 minutes to go it seemed as though captain Seydou Keita had found a winner for Mali, but his header fell just wide of the target. In the dying minutes DR Congo had a penalty appeal, but the referee waved play on.
The result, coupled with Ghana's triumph over Niger, meant that Ghana topped Group B with Mali finishing in second. The Black Stars are set to play the Cape Verde in the quarterfinals, while the Eagles will clash with host South Africa, as the Bafana Bafana topped Group A.
Goals from Congo and Anderlecht striker Dieumerci Mbokani, and Mali's Mamadou Samassa produced the stalemate, which eliminated Congo from the tournament.
A number the AFCON matches have been slow at the start, with the action peaking in the second half, and often only in the dying minutes of the encounters have goals been scored. This match was a completely different story, though, with DR Congo's Lomana LuaLua hitting the post in the first minute of the game, before Mali conceded a third-minute penalty. Mbokani converted the spot kick, giving the Congolese the lead very early on.
The Eagles respond to that strike soon after, though, and in the 15th minute Adama Tamboura sent in a tight angle cross to a confident Samassa, who equalized for his side.
The Congolese found themselves on the back foot at that stage, with Mali growing in confidence after a poor defensive start. Mali continued to push forward, but despite its hold on possession, it was only able to create a handful of decent chances, which were not converted.
Both teams were aware that the winner would advance to the quarterfinals of the competition, but neither of the two squads seemed capable of outdoing the other, and in contrast to a frantic and entertaining first few minutes, the last section of the game was scrappy.
With 10 minutes to go it seemed as though captain Seydou Keita had found a winner for Mali, but his header fell just wide of the target. In the dying minutes DR Congo had a penalty appeal, but the referee waved play on.
The result, coupled with Ghana's triumph over Niger, meant that Ghana topped Group B with Mali finishing in second. The Black Stars are set to play the Cape Verde in the quarterfinals, while the Eagles will clash with host South Africa, as the Bafana Bafana topped Group A.
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Didier Drogba Striker Galatasaray |
6 | 3 |
|
Mbokani Striker Anderlecht |
5 | 2 |
|
Alain Traoré Midfielder FC Lorient |
5 | 0 |
|
Wakaso Midfielder Espanyol |
4 | 3 |
|
Victor Moses Midfielder Chelsea |
4 | 2 |
