Malian Junior Eagles are close to joining the train to the FIFA U20 World Cup in New Zealand courtesy their 2-1 win over the Amajita of South Africa at the Caroline Faye Stadium, M’bour, Senegal on Thursday.
The Malians have so far secured a total of six points from the group after beating Zambia by a lone goal in their first game on Monday.
Mali should have opened the scoring as early as the fifth minute but Toure managed to blast over from 12 yards out, after being teed up by Guindo.
Amajita’s first chance of the match arrived in the 37th minute, as Haashim Domingo swung in a corner kick for Motjeka Madisha, but the defender headed wide of the upright.
Toure squandered another opportunity just before the halftime break, as the winger failed to steer his header on target from six-yards out.
Mali threatened once again shortly after the halftime break, as Diarra’s glancing header sailed just over the crossbar, after Dumisani Msibi failed to clear.
Amajita were awarded a penalty in the 70th minute, as Diarra was adjudged to have fouled Dumisani Zuma in the area and the skipper, Motjeka Madisha, stepped up made no mistake from 12-yards out.
However, Mali leveled matters in the 78th minute, as Msibi misjudged the flight of Hamidou Traore’s cross-cum-shot, which deflected in off the upright.
The Malians then clinched the win in the 86th minute courtesy of a well-taken finish from Traore once again, after the Amajita defence went to sleep.
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