ACTUALITE |
24.01.2002
Inspired minnows Mali hold Nigeria in Nations Cup
BAMAKO,
Hosts Mali gave African Nations Cup favourites Nigeria a reality check here Thursday, holding the star-studded `Super Eagles` to a 0-0 draw in Group A.
Mali, roared on by a capacity 55,000 crowd at the March 26 Stadium, were on top of their opponents throughout and were unlucky not to have claimed all three points.
The result lifted Mali to second spot in the group on two points from two matches, with Nigeria topping the table on four points after their first two games.
Mali, written off as no-hopers before the tournament began, so nearly scored a shock win and only a disciplined Nigerian rearguard action in the second half kept the home team at bay.
And had it not been for an acrobatic injury-time save by Nigeria keeper Ike Shorunmu from a Mamadou Bagayoko header, Mali would have notched a famous triumph.
A carnival-like atmosphere in the stands was matched by Mali`s play, with the underdogs sweeping forward vibrantly as a Nigerian side packed with European-based stars struggled to find any sort of rhythm.
Yet Mali`s territorial dominance did not translate into much in the way of goalscoring opportunities, and the Nigerians had centre-halves Taribo West and Isaac Okoronkwo to thank for some steady defending.
Mali`s best chance arrived shortly before half-time when Bassala Toure latched on to a long ball from midfield and was sent clear on goal.
The Athinaikos striker scooped his shot clear of the advancing Shorunmu, but his effort lacked enough power to find the net and Okoronkwo was on hand to clear for Nigeria.
Moments earlier Nigeria had missed a similar scoring opportunity, midfielder Julius Aghahowa shooting past Mali goalkeeper Mahamadou Sidibe - but over the bar - after being put through by Austin `Jay-Jay` Okocha.
Okocha, superb in the Nigerians` 1-0 victory over Algeria, had been effectively neutralised for most of the half and his frustration got the better of him when he was booked for petulantly chopping down Toure.
The Paris St Germain player was later substituted in the second half.
With time running down Mali came closest to scoring.
Bagayoko flung himself at a cross from Toure but just failed to connect with his header in the 68th minute.
A shot from Toure was scrambled clear by the Nigerians, who could have taken the lead themselves when Aghahowa had a valid claim for a penalty waved away.
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