It’s safe to say that January 12’s AFCON action will be remembered for a little while.
The opening fixture saw Tunisia clash with Mali, and honestly, this was mental.
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Mauritania met Gambia and the Ivory Coast took on Equatorial Guinea, but let’s just get into the fixture you’re all here for.
Mali netted the game’s only goal from the penalty spot shortly after half time courtesy of Ibrahima Kone, but the real fun started with 15 minutes to go. Wahbi Khazri missed his own penalty, before absolute mayhem ensued.
The referee blew the final whistle in the 85th minute, but resumed after realising his error. He then sent Mali’s El Bilal Toure off with three minutes ago and then stopped the game in the 89th minute. No stoppage time. No nothing.
That looked to be it, but while the managers were holding press conferences, it was decided to restart the game and play the remaining few minutes with the fourth official in charge. Mali came out but Tunisia refused, and that was that.
Gambia emerged victorious in their first ever AFCON match against Mauritania.
Midfielder Ablie Jallow fired a glorious strike from range after ten minutes, and that was enough to steer his side to the top of Group F after the first matchday.
They could have had a few more goals, but ultimately they didn’t need them.
The final game of the day saw the Ivory Coast secure a solid 1-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea.
Max Gradel’s impressive strike inside six minutes put the Ivorians ahead, and they never looked in danger for the remainder of the game as they plugged away at the home side’s solid defence.
The Ivory Coast’s quality in midfield was just too much and it kept them on top of the game from start to finish.
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