By Eyob Dadi,
Mali have sailed through to 2017 U17 Madagascar Nations Cup after a 4-1 aggregate triumph over Ethiopia in the final round of qualifiers.
The visitors beat Ethiopia’s Red Foxes 2-1 on Sunday in the second leg, third round qualifiers to finish the business they started a fortnight ago in Bamako, Mali.
Mali who carried a 2-0 advantage from first leg were the dominant side in the first half of the tie staged at Addis Ababa Stadium, dictating the pace of the game and creating numerous chances.
They scored early in 3rd minute through Sibiry Keita to further complicate the hosts chances. Kalkidan Zelalem missed Red Foxes’ best chance of the half in the 44th minute.
In the second stanza, the Ethiopians tried to push hard for the leveler and they played better compared Mali who sat back waiting to hit on the counter.
Esubalew Getachew called Mali keeper Youssouf Koita to action with a header which the shot stopper parried to safety.
Fasil Abebayehu drew level the Coach Atenafu Alemu’s side in the 72nd minute tapping home a superb cross from the left.
Mali doubled the lead in dying minutes through Mahamane Toure who buried a counter attack to kill the game.
The West Africans will join 7 other teams in the junior continental showpiece billed for Madagascar next year.
