By Jejje Muhinde;
Mali football team got their Confederation of African Football (CAF) second round 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifying campaign off to a positive start with a 1-0 win over Amavubi of Rwanda at Stade d’Agadir in Morocco on Wednesday.
The match took place in Agadir as Mali (Les Aigles) doesn’t currently have a stadium that fulfils the required standards to host international matches.
The expeditious Les Aigles started the game like a house on fire and shortly after having a goal chalked off, the Mali were awarded a spot-kick.
Moussa Djenepo stepped up, but had his 18th-minute attempt saved by Amavubi goalkeeper Emery Mvuyekure.
It mattered little, though, as a minute later Mali scored through Moldova-based Adama Traore who recently played an integral part in helping FC Sheriff Tiraspol qualify for this season’s Uefa Champions’ League group stages.
Mali dominated the whole of first half as the Rwandans managed only one short on target spending most of the time defending.
Mali missed a couple of good chances both in the second half, as Adama Traore missed failed to make it while Moussa Djenepo missed another good opportunity.
Adama Traore strike proved to be the difference on the night as Mali climbed top of Group E with three points.
Next up for them is a trip to Uganda to take on the Cranes this coming Monday while Rwanda takes on Kenya in Kigali on Sunday at Stade Nyamirambo.
MALI: Mounkoro; H.Traore, Sacko, C. Traore, Kouyate, L. Coulibaly, Haidara (N.Traore 83′), Dieng (C. Doucoure 55′), Djenepo (Doumbia 65′), A. Traore, Kone (M Doucoure 65′).
RWANDA: Mvuyekure; Nirisarike, Omborenga, Ngwabije (Byiringiro 30′), Rwatubyaye, Imanishimwe, Bizimana, Mukunzi (O.Niyonzima 46′), Hakizimana (H.Niyonzima 46′), Tuyisenge, Kagere.
