Recalled striker Iliman Ndiaye scored in the first half to give Senegal a 1-0 victory over 10-man Mali in Tangiers on Friday, January 9, in the first Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final.

The only goal followed a blunder by Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra, who then made a string of superb saves to prevent Senegal from increasing their lead.

Senegal’s team now faces defending champions Côte d’Ivoire or record seven-time winners Egypt, who meet in the semi-finals on Saturday.

Bissouma sent off

Mali’s hopes were dealt a severe blow in first-half added time when Yves Bissouma was sent off, after being shown a second yellow card. Mali captain Bissouma was yellow-carded midway through the half for fouling veteran Senegal striker and twice African player of the year Sadio Mane.

Malian Lassine Sinayoko appealed for a penalty just three minutes into the first half, alleging that he was fouled by Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly, who was back after a one-match suspension. However, the South African referee waved play on, and VAR confirmed his decision was correct. Big-screen replays showed Sinayoko was guilty of simulation.

Sinayoko then broke clear, only to be foiled by a superb sliding tackle from fellow French Ligue 1 player Krepin Diatta.

Deadlock broken

The deadlock was broken after 27 minutes on a cold, cloudy evening in the Mediterranean city, thanks to Ndiaye.

Three times, he was involved in a move which ended with goalkeeper Djigui Diarra allowing a Diarra cross to slip under his body, and Ndiaye struck the loose ball into the net.

While the goal was a gift, it gave Senegal a deserved lead as they had dominated possession in only the second AFCON clash between the countries. The first was drawn at the group stage in 2004.

Pape Gueye, who scored twice for Senegal in the last-16 victory over Sudan, was just off target with a shot from outside the box.

Mali reduced to 10 men

Then, for the second successive knockout match, Mali were reduced to 10 men before half-time with Bissouma shown a second yellow card, followed by a red.

The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder fouled Idrissa Gueye in midfield, and Malian pleas for the incident to be reviewed by VAR were rejected.

Mali had previously displayed tremendous spirit when reduced to 10 men against Tunisia in the round of 16, and it was evident again against the Senegalese as the second half progressed.

Close calls

They came close to levelling on 55 minutes when defender Abdoulaye Diaby advanced for a free-kick. His close-range shot brought a reflex save from former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

Diarra atoned for his first-half blunder by making several superb saves to keep Malian dreams of winning a maiden AFCON title alive.

With 15 minutes of regular time remaining, the scorer Ndiaye was substituted. In his place came 17-year-old Paris Saint-Germain forward Ibrahim Mbaye, whose goal had sealed victory over Sudan.

Diarra rescued Mali again as time ticked away, blocking a shot from substitute Pathe Ciss, who had broken clear.

The Malian goalkeeper made another outstanding save during seven minutes of added time by pushing away a Lamine Camara volley.