Publications
Partners
Bafana Bafana XI: Williams, Mudau, Xulu, Mvala, Modiba, Sithole, Mokoena, Maseko, Zwane, Tau, Makgopa.
Substitutes: Mothwa, Goss, Mobbie, Mashego, Appollis, Adams, Monare, Lepasa, Kekana, Sibisi, Mayambela, Morena, Xoki
Mali XI: Djigui, Sacko, Niakate, Kouyate, Traore, Dieng, Haidara, Doumbia, Bissouma, Kosta, Sinayoko.
Substitutes: Diawara, Dante, M. Doumbia, Samassekou, Sissoko, Coulibaly, Camara, Diarra, Doucoure, Fofana, Niakate, Diabate, A. Traore, A, Doumbia, B. Traore, Dorgeles.
17 January 00:16
Bafana Bafana fail to join the underdogs Afcon party, humbled by Mali loss
Bafana Bafana failed to step into the spotlight when it was their turn to shine in an Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) where the underdogs have stolen the show. Instead, Mali knocked the lights out of Bafana - punishing them for failing to take their chances when they had the upper hand in the first half...
17 January 00:03
FULL-TIME: Bafana Bafana 0-2 Mali
After a fantastic first half, Bafana failed to reproduce the same energy in the second stanza and Mali ensured they improved and applied the necessary pressure on the defence, which saw them capitalised on the mistakes.
Hamari Traore and Lassine Sinayoko's goals proved to be the dent in Bafana's chase as those strikes hit the wind out of Broos's charges.
That defeat left South Africa last in group E after Naimbia shocked Tunisia in the earlier clash.
Bafana are next in action against the Brave Warriors on Sunday and a defeat in that clash will end their tournament.
16 January 23:38
75 min: It has been a much better performance from Mali in the second stanza. As far as it is for Bafana, they've certainly dropped that same intensity. Defensive frailties has shown here for Broos's charges.
16 January 23:31
72 min: Substitutions for Bafana sees Zwane, Makgopa coming off with Mayambela and Lepasa coming on.
16 January 23:30
Bafana concede possession from their own throw-in, resulting in the second goal. Siyayoko outmuscles and outpaces Xulu, toe-poking the ball past Williams. This turn of events could potentially mark the end of the game for Bafana.
16 January 23:21
From a distance of nearly 25 yards, Koita lines up for a free-kick, delivering a perfect strike. Williams manages to get the faintest of touches, redirecting the ball against the upright. Unfortunately for Bafana, the rebound favoured Mali, and Traore is there to tap it home, securing the goal.
16 January 23:09
16 January 23:08
49 min: A miss of utter proportion as Sacko just needed to keep his shot low and we have had our first goal of the night. But no, he skies it after being teed up by Koita. Higher than Tau's penalty attempt. That was indeed a poor attempt at a finish from the Mali player.
16 January 22:53
HALF-TIME: Bafana Bafana 0-0 Mali
A captivating first half unfolded here, marked by a tactical battle with both sides displaying considerable impetus.
Tau's missed penalty stands out as the highlight for Mali, representing a low point for Bafana.
Nevertheless, Broos's charges exhibit impressive ball-playing skills and adept game management, knowing when to attack and when to defend.
Despite Mali's lineup comprising players scattered across European leagues and boasting a seven-game winning streak, they appear below their expected quality in this encounter, targeting Bafana as their eighth conquest.
Bafana, on the other hand, have demonstrated astuteness in their Afcon campaign.
16 January 22:44
16 January 22:38
34 min: CHANCE! Mokoena threads a ball through a sea of white shirts, slicing open the Mali defence. Tau collects the ball on the edge of the box, maneuvers forward, and takes a shot, but Diarra makes a textbook save.
16 January 22:31
30 min: Tau's penalty miss seems to have ignited the Mali players, who now revel in a sustained period of play, showcasing their midfield and attacking prowess. Despite this, Bafana remains resilient in defence, maintaining their stubbornness.
16 January 22:20
19 min: PENALTY MISSED! Percy Tau pulls the trigger on a sky rocket spot kick and skies it to the stands.
Huge opportunity missed for Broos and his charges there.
16 January 22:19
16 January 22:11
8 min: Williams executes a textbook save as Hadiara attempts an audacious volley from nearly 25 yards. The shot is on target, but Williams is perfectly positioned to glove the ball with ease.
16 January 22:07
5 min: A tense beginning for Bafana Bafana as Mali assumes control, confidently circulating the ball. While neither side poses a significant threat, there's a palpable sense in the air that, following Namibia's surprising result, both teams feel compelled to make something happen tonight.
16 January 21:59
For now, let's shift our focus to the ongoing match as the national anthems have concluded, and the game is set to commence.
Care to make a prediction?
16 January 21:55
VERY IMPORTANT!
In a surprising turn of events, Deon Hotto netted a goal in the 88th minute, securing a shocking 1-0 victory for underdogs Namibia over former champions Tunisia on Tuesday in Korhogo, marking the kickoff of Group E in the Africa Cup of Nations.
16 January 21:54
An interesting stat here as the players walk out of the tunnel.
South Africa has been unable to score more than one goal in their last nine matches at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
The last instance of them achieving this was against Morocco in the 2013 group stages, resulting in a 2-2 draw.
It's a stat that is all too familiar with South Africans as Bafana have lacked scoring goals.
Tonight, we hope that is not the case.
16 January 21:52
South Africa accomplished the feat of reaching the final four in each of their first three CAF Africa Cup of Nations participations (1st in 1996, 2nd in 1998, 3rd in 2000).
However, since that remarkable start, they have been unable to progress beyond the quarter-finals, securing only three victories in their last 20 matches (D7 L10).
16 January 21:51
South Africa is making its 11th appearance in the Africa Cup of Nations, marking their return to the tournament for the first time since 2019.
The sole Afcon title in their history was clinched in 1996 when they served as hosts.
16 January 21:49
Mali has maintained an impressive record of never losing their opening game at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, boasting seven wins and five draws.
Interestingly, since 2004, they have yet to secure consecutive victories in a single tournament.
16 January 21:48
Mali is embarking on its 13th participation in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, marking their ninth consecutive appearance.
Notably, Mali holds the record for the most games played at AFCON without securing the coveted trophy, with 54 matches under their belt.
Their most noteworthy performance traces back to 1972 when Mali reached the final but succumbed to a 3-2 defeat against Congo.
16 January 21:45
Bafana have played against Mali twice at the Afcon losing both matches in the quarterfinal in Bamako 2002 and Durban 2013. This is the first time playing in a neutral venue.
16 January 21:44
Friends will turn into foes when Bafana Bafana meets Mali. Friends and teammates at Al-Ahly, Percy Tau and Aliou Dieng both start for their countries.
16 January 21:42
Meanwhile, Mali have fielded a strong team themselves Bissouma, Kouyate and Dieng all start but they have some killer power on the bench too in Adama Traore, who won the Golden Boot at the Under 20 FIFA World Cup back in 2015.
16 January 21:29
Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has remained steadfast in his approach, sticking to his tried-and-true selection.
The notable change in the starting XI is Maseko, stepping in for Lyle Foster, who has decided not to make himself available for Afcon due to recovering from mental health issues.
16 January 20:06
Former Bafana midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi says "good luck" to the boys, Hugo Broos and the technical team.
16 January 20:05
