Mali will face 2009 African Nations Championship (CHAN) winners DR Congo in this year’s final at the Amahoro Stadium, Kigali on Sunday 7.

The Eagles, today (Thursday 4) edged out fellow West Africans Ivory Coast 1-0 in an exciting semifinal match at Stade De Kigali to reach the first ever final of the Championship played purely by domestic league players.

Djibril Drame’s youthful side, were the more dominant, and had the most number of shots on target (12) compared to just five by the Ivorians.

Sewe Sport’s Essis Fulgence Aka hit the woodwork in the 9th minute with a rasping shot after beating Mali defense; and in the 23rd minute Serge Nguessan’s attempt was cleared off the line for a wasted corner.

Mali picked up the pace therefore, with Sekou Koita threatening Ivory Coast defense repeatedly. They should have gone ahead from the spot in the 33rd minute but the elephants keeper Dabra Ali Sangare made an easy save of Coulibaly Mamadou’s penalty kick.

Nguessan Kouame tapped wide from Aliou Dieng left cross in the 58th minute, before Ivory Coast keeper pulled another fine save of the evening to deny Hamidou Sinayako in the 62nd minute.

With just two minutes to stoppage time, Sinayako picked substitute Yves Bissouma with a pass from the left, which the AS Real Bamako man controlled past one defender before coolly placing it beyond advancing keeper, Sangare for the 1-0 final scoreline.

@bonfaceosano

Bonface Osano

African Football Writer contributing @Soka25east | Commentator; appeared on @MySoccerAfrica, @KweseSports, @ntvkenya, others | Keen follower of African Football. E-mail: bonfaceosano@gmail.com