TUNIS, 3 February 2004 — Mali held World Cup quarterfinalists Senegal to a 1-1 draw yesterday to secure top spot in Group B and avoid a quarterfinal meeting with hosts Tunisia.
Mali, with several regulars rested by coach Henri Stambouli, took the lead on 34 minutes when giant striker Dramane Traore headed home a long speculative cross from right-back Fousseiny Diawara.
Traore’s header caught Senegal goalkeeper Tony Sylva out of position and bounced in off the post.
Eight minutes earlier, Mali had an effort by striker Abdoulaye Demba, playing in place of striker Frederic Kanoute, cleared off the line by defender Lamine Diatta.
Senegal, who had the better of the exchanges in a bruising encounter, grew stronger toward the end of the half with Liverpool striker El Hadji Diouf having a shot saved at point-blank range by Mahamadou Sidibe.
But the Senegalese, runners-up at the last Nations Cup, finally forced home an equalizer in stoppage time at the end of the first half when Salif Diao’s free kick was spectacularly headed home by Marseille fullback Habib Beye.
It was the first international goal for Beye, who was part of the squad at the World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea 18 months ago.
Mali goalkeeper Sidibe made two more fine saves in the second-half from Mamadou Niang and Diouf.
Stambouli then brought on substitutes to strengthen the midfield and defense as they sought to hold out for the draw.
Leeds United striker Lamine Sakho came on for his international debut for Senegal, the latest beneficiary of the new FIFA rule allowing players to switch nationality.
The former French junior international had been injured at the start of the tournament. Mali now meet Guinea in Saturday’s first quarterfinal at the El Menzah stadium in Tunis, while Senegal play the hosts at Rades later the same day.
Kenya Earn First Nations Cup Win
In Bizerte, Tunisia, Kenya, playing at their fifth African Nations Cup finals, finally won their first match yesterday with a 3-0 demolition of Burkina Faso.
Teenager Dennis Oliech, who had a trial with Olympique Marseille before joining Qatar’s Al Arabi, scored one and set up the other two for Emmanuel Ake and John Baraza as Kenya, already out of the tournament, won their first game at the finals at the 14th attempt.
Kenya finished third in Group C with three points while Burkina, who began the match with an outside chance of reaching the quarterfinals, were last with one.
Burkina’s frustration boiled over when midfielder Rahim Ouedraogo kicked an opponent from behind in the 76th minute and was sent off.
