When the Malians came up against Cameroon in their opening 2015 Africa Cup of Nations game at the Nuevo Estadio de Malabo, very few people gave them any chance at all of coming out of the encounter with anything short of a demeaning score line. Nonetheless, and against massive odds, The Eagles stood their own against their imperious opponents and put in a very commendable display.
So composed the Malians were on the ball that Yabatare’s 71 minute opener looked like it had set them on the way to a sensational victory. In the end, however, the Cameroonians managed to claw their way back, netting an equalizer to share the spoils with Mali. Overall, though, it is the Malians who had greater cause to rejoice in the score line, and will hope they can build on the result as they tackle the Elephants on the 24th.
Ivory Coast’s CAN 2015 opener was a draw as well, and against a team most fans expected them to beat: Guinea. Already without the services of talismanic striker Didier Drogba who retired late last year, The Elephants will be without Roma man Gervinho, whose rash behavior was the main root of the implosion against Guinea.
The Yaya-Toure-led West Africans will look to use their game against Mali as a tonic; to record a convincing win that will balm the wound suffered in Match 1. Gervinho will be sorely missed but The Elephants’ fans have no reason to doubt the ability of Kalou, Doumbia, Bony, and co. to come up with the goods in his absence.
Ivory Coast Starting 11:
16 S. Gbohouo
4 K. Touré
5 S. Tiéné
17 S. Aurier
22 W. Kanon
21 E. Bertrand
19 Y. Touré
9 C. Tioté
14 I. Diomandé
7 S. Doumbia
12 W. Bony
Mali Starting 11:
16 Soumbeïla Diakité
15 D. Diakité
3 A. Tamboura
23 M. Wagué
4 S. Coulibaly
12 S. Kéita
10 B. Sako
14 S. Yatabaré
17 Mamoutou N'Diaye
8 Y. Sylla
7 M. Yatabaré
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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