Mali did well to hold out for a 1-0 win to ensure the full three points over their West African rivals Guinea in a match that saw the Syli Nationale denied by goalkeeper Soumbeyla Diakite on numerous occasions.
Guinea went out guns blazing as they forced Mali’s shot-stopper Diakite into an early save as Pascal Feindouno hit a long range shot.
Guinea were the team with the majority of the attacks as Ismael Bangoura hit a header back across goal but Diakite was at full stretch to make a great save.
Moments later Alhassane Bangoura made a powerful run down the left hand side of the field to win a corner.
The set piece was well hit by Kamil Zayatte as he struck the crossbar with a header, but unfortunately for the Malian the whistle had already been blown.
On 26 minutes Bangoura created a chance from just outside the box but it curled and hit the side netting.
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Several of the fans in the stadium erupted in cheers as they thought their team had taken the lead.
Four minutes later the deadlock was broken. The goal started from a free-kick which Abdou Traore took, but the set-piece was poorly dealt with, leaving Bakaye Traore to fire in a spectacular shot into the net.
There was a scare for the Malians just minutes later as Guinea once again went on the attack but Diakite came off his line to block Bangoura’s attack.
Soon after the restart there was some cause for concern as Cheick Diabate received a foot in his lower back from Dianbobo Balde, the player went down and was treated by the medics.
There was a flurry of changes within ten minutes as Abdoul Camara and Ousmane Barry replaced Alhassane Bangoura and Ismael Bangoura, while Mali’s change saw Garra Dembele come on for Diabate.
Abdoul Camara sent in a great cross from the left flank but it was just out of reach for Ousmane Barry: a huge moment for a potential equaliser.
Pascal Feindouno drew up his own shooting opportunity, from just outside the penalty area, but his effort was high and wide of the face of the goal.
Cedric Kante did well to make a clearance under pressure as he swiped away Camara’s low cross, while Mali’s in-form shot-stopper was once again called into action as he performed a great save off a Feinduono free-kick.
In the final minutes it was all out Guinea in attack as the Mali defence once again came to the fore when they handled a Traore ball with ease, but it was just not happening for Guinea as they had to succumb to a 1-0 defeat.