Mali hold South Africa

A  61st minute volley by Mali’s nimble footed Ibourahima Sidibe,  which beat goalkeeper  Itumelang Isaack Khune of South Africa, earned Mali  a 1-1 draw  in their second group A match played in South Africa Wednesday.

It was South Africa who opened the scores through  Benard Melvin Parker on the 25th minute,  but Mali proved too mouthful for the host nation and deservingly pulled the equaliser after recess to share the points at stake.

Having won their first games in the first group matches with South Africa beating Mauritania, while  Mali defeated Nigeria,  both teams  entered the game with the determination to carry the day to make qualification to the next stage  easy .

Mali took early control   of the game, and made the first attempt at goal in the second minute,  but Yaya Samoke’s effort missed narrowly.

South Africa’s  Siphiwe Tshabalala responded six minutes later but  his feeble shot from the box was easily handled by goalkeeper  Soumaila Diakite.

Determined to carry the day, Mali continued to push more men into attack,  as they forced  their opponents to fall back to defend  with  Abdoulaye Sissoko as the main tormentor.

In one of his moves in the 25th minute,  Mbatha  was fouled on the edge of the box, but the referee pointed to the spot, giving   Parker the opportunity to send goal keeper Diakite the wrong way and slotted the ball into the net for the opener.