Name: Mali draw with Morocco to keep tournament hopes alive
Uploaded: 2025-12-27T14:23:18.422Z
Duration: 1 min 10 s
Description: Mali secured a 1-1 draw against hosts Morocco in Rabat, maintaining their qualification hopes. Coach Tom Saintfiet criticized the officiating, particularly a penalty decision and a missed handball incident.

Mali secured a 1-1 draw against hosts Morocco in Rabat, maintaining their qualification hopes. Coach Tom Saintfiet criticized the officiating, particularly a penalty decision and a missed handball incident.

Rabat

Mali earned a 1-1 draw against Morocco in Rabat, preserving their chances of advancing in the tournament. Coach Tom Saint-Fiet expressed dissatisfaction with the officiating, noting a controversial penalty awarded to Morocco despite prior guidance from CAF and a missed handball call late in the match.

Lacine Sinaioko equalized for Mali with a second-half penalty, and the team held firm through extended stoppage time to secure a crucial point. Mali are now level with Zambia on two points, leaving Group A's outcome undecided.

Mali draw with Morocco to keep tournament hopes alive

Mali kept their tournament dreams alive with a gutsy 1-1 draw against hosts Morocco in Rabat, but coach Tom Saint-Fiet had plenty to say about the officiating afterwards. We were a bit surprised to concede a penalty against us. Last week, we had a two-hour session with CAF, which explained that in this type of situation, it is not a penalty. However, the penalty was still given. Despite the controversial opener, Mali regrouped at halftime and pressed forward with renewed determination. Lacine Sinaioko's second-half penalty leveled the score and silenced the partisan crowd. In the second half, I think we played well, we created chances. There was also another clear penalty situation about 10 minutes before the end with a handball. It is unfortunate that the referee and VAR did not see it. The Eagles held firm through extended stoppage time, to claim a precious point that keeps qualification hopes alive. Mali now sit level with Zambia on two points, and Group A remains wide open.

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