Moussa Kone’s brace in the dying stages of the match handed Mali a 3-1 win over Mauritania in their 2017 WAFU Cup of Nations clash at the Cape Coast Stadium on Monday afternoon.

Mali made most of the early running with Samassekou shooting high over Soulaimane ’s crossbar from just outside the area in the fifth minute.

Mauritania imposed themselves on the game midway through the half and won a succession of corners, but failed to capitalise on their dominance.

The Eagles took the lead in the 30th minute when Mahamed Traore’s fierce shot from the edge of the area hit crossbar into the path of Mandala Konte for an easy tap into the net.

Six minutes later, Mauritania got an equalizer when a corner was headed into the path of Samaba Cheick who sent a powerful shot to make it 1-1 at the break.

However, despite all their dominance in the opening stages, they failed to create any real clear-cut opportunities.

Mali had to wait upto 88th minute, when Moussa Kone rose highest to meet Kida’s cross, and connected a loose ball inside Mauritania box to fire home from close range.

With the match looking destined for a 2-1 result,with seconds left, Kone ran onto a pass from Kinte to slot home from inside the area to hand Mali a well deserved victory.

Teams

Mali: 16. Diarra, 13. I Samake, 15. I Traore, 4. Samassekou, 14. L Samake, 6. Konte, 17. M Traore (2. Bah 59’), 8. Coulibaly, 7. Malle (18. Dieng 72’), 9. Kida (10. Niangaddou 57’), 11. Kone.

Mauritania: 1. Souleimane, 2. Mostapha, 3. Hassen (13. Youba 46’), 5. Bilal Sidi Mohamed, 12. Moussa, 8. Djiby (4. Wade Mohamed 62’), 9. Karamokho (7. Moctat 82’), 10. Samba, 14. Bodda, 19. Cheikh, 23. Abdoulaye.