Guinea became sixth team to punch their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) ticket following their qualifying win in Conakry on Wednesday.
The Syli Nationale beat Mali 1-0 at Stade General Lansana Conté De Nongo in one of six matches scattered across the African continent on Wednesday, with Seydouba Soumah’s goal the difference between the two countries on the day.
Victory moved the 1976 Afcon runners-up to 14 points in Group A after five matches and punched their ticket for the upcoming showpiece set to be hosted in Cameroon.
Guinea joins Mali who qualified for the eighth consecutive Nations Cup finals in November after beating Namibia in match-day four played in November.
Naby Keita should have given Guinea the lead in the 12th minute but the striker blasted over from close range.
Adama Traore came close for Mali in the 18th minute, the winger did well to create space for himself before firing an effort narrowly wide.
Poor finishing was a determining factor which saw both sides go into the halftime break with scores level at 0-0.
The opening 10 minutes of the second half continued in the same fashion as the first stanza, although it was the Eagles who were restricted to numerous long range efforts.
Sory Kaba missed the match’s first real chance when he shockingly shot wide after being teed up from 12 metres inside the box by striker Mohamed Bayo.
Mali responded seven minutes later with a goal threatening strike from 20 metres courtesy of Zoumana Simpare, but it was off target.
Mali captain Diadie Samassekou was put through on a one-on-one situation but disappointingly shot wide on the half-hour mark.
Seven minutes later second half substitute Seydouba Soumah broke the deadlock off a nice move which carved the Mali defence open to make it 1-0.
Guinea goalkeeper Aly Keita pulled of a great save to deny Ichiaka Diarra the equalizer after a brilliant move from the wing.
Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra twice had to deny Keita by parrying away his efforts.
Didier Six’s men will hope to end their campaign on a flying note next week, when they visit Namibia for their last group game on March 28.
