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MALI qualified for the 2021 Afcon final after beating Namibia 2-1 in Windhoek on Tuesday night.
Mali led 2-0 after goals from Sekou Koita and Moussa Doumbia and, although Elmo Kambindu disallowed a goal for Namibia, Mali managed to hold off the victory to reserve their place in next year’s finals in Cameroon.
Mali leads Group A with 10 points, followed by Guinea with 8, Namibia with 3 and Chad with 1 point.
Guinea is now the favorite to qualify alongside Mali, although Namibia still has a mathematical chance of reaching the final.
Mali dominated possession for most of the match and impressed with their long spells on the ball.
They came on the attack with an early shot from El Bilal Touré that Namibian goalkeeper Virgil Vries cleared for a corner, but Vries was helpless as Koita opened Mali’s account with a great solo goal in the 11th minute.
He attacked from central midfield, burst into the area and unleashed a powerful shot that went to the left corner of the net.
Mali continued to attack with Aliou Dieng and Hamari Traore about to score, before Doumbia attacked from the left wing in the 36th minute to score from a sharp angle.
However, two minutes later, Namibia opened their account with an excellent header from Elmo Kambindu following a free kick from Absalom Iimbondi.
Iimbondi had a great equalizing opportunity when he escaped on a quick counterattack early in the second half, but Hamari Traore did well to block his shot.
Mali, however, won a penalty in the 59th minute. Hanamub fouled Doumbia in the box, but Vries made a great dive to deflect El Bilal Touré’s shot.
Vries was having an inspired match, making several more saves, while Namibia created several chances of their own, but their finish was poor, with Iimbondi, Benson Shilongo and Peter Shalulile failing to find the target.
Substitute Riaan! Hanamub came closer to breaking the deadlock when his 83rd-minute shot bounced off the post, and although Namibia bombarded Mali’s defense in the final stages, the visitors managed to endure a vital victory.
