Teranga Lions book AFCON semifinal spot

Senegal have become the first team to book their place in the semifinals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after they defeated Mali 1-0 at the Tangier Grand Stadium on Friday evening.

The Teranga Lions won the closely-fought tie thanks to a first-half strike from Iliman Ndiaye, while the Eagles’ hopes of a comeback were compromised by a sending off for talismanic midfielder Yves Bissouma in injury time before the interval.

FULL-TIME! 🇲🇱🇸🇳

Ndiaye wins it for Senegal. #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | @tecnomobile pic.twitter.com/jA7Q6xXHcs — TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 9, 2026

The teams cancelled each other out in the first quarter of the match, with Mali having the first notable effort on 24 minutes, as Nathan Gassama’s piledriver shot was bravely blocked by the Senegal defence.

The Teranga Lions then claimed the lead just three minutes later, with Iliman Ndiaye latching onto a rebound in the Mali penalty area before firing home a low shot for 1-0.

Pape Gueye nearly doubled the advantage just past the half-hour mark, but his effort flashed wide of the mark, while injury time saw El Hadji Malick Diouf spurn a great chance inside the Mali box.

The Eagles were then reduced to 10 men just before the halftime break when Yves Bissouma picked up his second yellow card and was sent off.

Abongile Tom doesn't mess around 😤

Yves Bissouma sees his second yellow and Mali are down to 10 🟥👇

📺 Stream #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/EYBLlN4pxu — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) January 9, 2026

Ndiaye has Senegal smiling at halftime. 🇸🇳😁#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/W2rI1BFCov — TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 9, 2026

Senegal, with a numerical advantage, controlled the second half for the most part, though Mali nearly levelled the game on 57 minutes via Abdoulaye Diaby, but Edouard Mendy made a magnificent save to keep his side ahead.

That was to be the Eagles’ only real chance of getting back in the game, with Senegal missing out on chances to kill off the game via Sadio Mane and Pathe Ciss, but ultimately they were able to see out the match and claim a deserved victory.

Semi-Finalists | Senegal 🇸🇳

The Lions of Teranga are into the final four of the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/IGKTwLUTJs — TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 9, 2026

Senegal will face either Egypt or Ivory Coast (who meet in Agadir on Saturday night) in the first semifinal, set for Tangier on Wednesday 14 January.

Mali 0

Senegal (1) 1 (I. Ndiaye 27’)

Mali: D. Diarra, H. Traore, O. Camara, A. Diaby, N. Gassama, L. Coulibaly (M. Doumbia 82’), A. Dieng (G. Diakite 69’), Y. Bissouma, A. Haidara (D. Nene 55’), L. Sinayoko (E.B. Toure 82’), M. Sangare (K. Doumbia 82’)

Senegal: E. Mendy, K. Diatta, K. Koulibaly, M. Niakhate, M. Diouf, H. Diarra (P. Ciss 62’), I. Gueye, P. Gueye (L. Camara 62’), I. Ndiaye (I. Mbaye 75’), H, Diallo (C. Ndiaye 75’), S. Mane