By Agnes Amondi,

In the opening fixture of group B, Mali earned three points in style, with a 6-0 annihilation of Gambia at the Wusum Stadium, Makeni.

A hat trick by Aguissa Diarra, a brace from Oumou Kone and a goal from Senebu Sidibe secured the match for Mali.

At the same venue, Liberia opened their campaign with a 4-0 victory over Guinea Bissau.
Lucy Massaquio, Bernice Willie, Angeline Kieh and Lucy Kikeh breached Bissau’s defence and sealed the three points for their team.

The results mean that Mali top group B on superior goal difference followed by Liberia. Gambia lie bottom as Guinea Bissau sit third.

Earlier at the Bo Stadium, Aguissa Diarra opened Mali’s account in the 33rd minute before Oumou Kone double in extra time as the half closed.

Kone was on the score sheet again, a minute after restart to give Mali their third.

Diarra went on to grab her hat trick with a 49th and 75th minutes strike.

The task was already far beyond Gambia’s reach. Nonetheless, Senebu Sidibe scored a fifth fifteen minutes from time.

Group A action returns tomorrow with Cape Verde taking on table toppers Senegal as hosts Sierra Leone clash with Guinea, the former with a point whilst the latter have none after opening day defeat.

Results

Mali 6 – 0 Gambia
Liberia 4 – 0 Guinea Bissau
Fixtures Thursday 27

Cape Verde vs Senegal – Bo Stadium
Sierra Leone vs Guinea – Bo Stadium