Senegal reaches AFCON semifinals with narrow win over 10-man Mali

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Iliman Ndiaye's first-half strike was enough for Senegal to beat 10-man Mali 1-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal on Friday.

Ndiaye poked the ball home from close range in the 27th minute after Mali 'keeper Djigui Diarra let Krepin Diatta's cross slip through his fingers to land at Ndiaye's feet.

The winter rain which has soaked the tournament started to fall early at Grand Stade de Tanger and it would not have helped Diarra's grip on the ball.

Mali captain Yves Bissouma was already booked for a foul on Sadio Mane as his team made a courageous start, and the Eagles' hopes took a major blow when he was shown a second yellow card before the break for a foul on Idrissa Gueye.

Referee Abongile Tom had already sent off Woyo Coulibaly in Mali's previous game, a penalty shootout win over Tunisia, and Bissouma's sending off represented the team's third sending off in as many games.

Senegal missed further chances with Diarra saving from Mane in stoppage time.

The 2021 champion awaits the winner between Ivory Coast and Egypt in the first semifinal, also in Tangier, on Wednesday.

Host nation Morocco was playing five-time champion Cameroon in a duel between the Atlas Lions and Indomitable Lions in the second quarterfinal later Friday.

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AP at the Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations