Mali thrashed South Sudan 3-0 in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification Group C match at the Juba Stadium in Juba on Sunday afternoon.

The win took the Eagles to the top of the Group C standings, while the Bright Stars remained fourth on the table.

The Bright Stars were targeting their first win in the qualifying campaign having lost 3-0 to Burundi away in June 2017.

On the other hand, the Eagles were eyeing their second successive win having defeated Gabon 2-1 at home over a year ago.

The visitors’ attack was led by experienced striker Moussa Marega, who is plying his trade in Portugal for Primeira Liga champions FC Porto.

The hosts defence which was led by David Dada managed to contain their much-fancied opponents in the opening stages of the game.

However, the South Sudan defence went to sleep on the stroke of half-time and they were punished Marega.

The 27-year-old marksman beat South Sudan goalkeeper Khamis Daniel to make it 1-0 to Mali.

Mali were leading 1-0 at the interval thanks to Marega’s first-half goal.

South Sudan tried to level matters after the restart, but they were struggling to penetrate Mali’s defence which was marshalled by Mamadou Traore.

The visitors managed to double their lead through Salif Coulibaly, who hit the back of the net after the hour-mark to make it 2-0 to Mali.

It was soon 3-0 to Mali as Adama Traore put his name on the scoresheet in the closing stages of the encounter.

Ultimately, Mali emerged 3-0 winners over a hapless South Sudan side on the day.

South Sudan (0) 0
Mali (1) 3

South Sudan: Khamis Daniel, Zakaria, David Dada, Ezekel, Aatif Mustafa, Abdu Awad, Samuel Tombe, Dusman Peter, Osama Kamal, Peter Chol, Aluck Akeuch.

Mali: Djigui Diarra, Traoré, Coulibaly, Fofana, Haïdara, Doumbia, Samassékou, Sacko, Djénepo, Marega, Diaby.

AfricanFootball