CAN 2023 (Q): Mali and Egypt unfold, Burkina hung

Without Mohamed Salah, left to rest, Egypt disposed of Ethiopia (1-0) on Friday evening in the CAN 2023 qualifier. In Bamako, Mali offered themselves a healthy ride against South Sudan ( 4-0).

Started last Wednesday, the sixth and final day of the CAN 2023 qualifiers continued this Friday with three games on the program. Meetings without stake but which will serve as a test for the next qualifying phases of the 2026 World Cup.

In Bamako, Mali received South Sudan at the March 26 stadium. A meeting that turned into a show of force for the Eagles who won with the score of 4-0. Too strong for a South Sudanese team limited offensively, the Malians did not take much time to showcase themselves. UD Almeria striker Ibrahima Koné opened the scoring after ten minutes. And at the half-hour mark, Stade Brest attacking midfielder Kamory Doumbia made the break.

After halftime, in the 57th minute, Doumbia scored his second goal of the evening for the 3-0. As if that wasn’t enough to knock out South Sudan, Nene Dorgeles scored her team’s fourth goal. With this victory, Mali finished first in group G with 15 points, far ahead of their executioner of the evening, last in the standings with 3 points.

In the other matches of the day, Egypt ensured the minimum against Ethiopia (1-0) for their last meeting of Pool D. The only goal of the game was signed by the striker of FC Pyramids, Mostafa Fathi, in the 37th minute. With an eleven changed in the absence of Bertrand Traoré and Yago, package, and with Edmond Tapsoba and Blati Touré remained on the bench, Burkina Faso for its part came up against the modest team of Eswatini (0-0). Without consequence however for the Stallions already qualified for the final phase of the CAN.