Senegal will face either Egypt or Ivory Coast in Wednesday's AFCON semi-final

Max Mathews and Ed Mackey

January 9, 2026 at 1:43 PM EST

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Mali 0-1 Senegal — AFCON 2025 latest reaction

Senegal have secured a place in the AFCON 2025 semi-finals after beating Mali in Tangier.

Iliman Ndiaye scored in the first half by tapping in from close range after a Djigui Diarra error before Mali captain Yves Bissouma was shown a second yellow card in first-half stoppage time.

Mali bow out, while Senegal will face the winner of Egypt vs Ivory Coast in the last four on Wednesday.

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When is Senegal's AFCON semi-final?

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Both AFCON semi-finals are being played on Wednesday, January 14.

Senegal will play in the first of those matches against either Egypt or Ivory Coast — kick-off in that one is at 5pm GMT (12pm ET).

The second semi-final kicks off three hours later at 8pm GMT (3pm ET).

Up next at AFCON

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The quarter-final action keeps coming thick and fast at AFCON.

While the dust settles from Senegal's win over Mali, there is just half an hour until the second quarter-final kicks off.

It comes from Rabat where tournament hosts Morocco face Cameroon for a place in Wednesday's second semi-final.

Still room for improvement for Senegal

As one of the pre-tournament favourites, there will have been a widespread expectation in Senegal to see this team reach the semi-final.

The viewing public in Senegal might not have been particularly excited about today's performance, but they are through to the next round and that is all that matters or now.

With four full days to prepare for their semi-final, Pape Thiaw will be desperate to get his players back out on the training pitch as there is plenty of room for improvement based on today's showing.

Senegal extend their unbeaten run

Senegal's victory today extends their unbeaten run at AFCON to 16 matches, winning 11 and drawing the other five.

Only once has a team gone on a longer unbeaten run in this tournament, Egypt's 24-match run between 2004 and 2017.

Ndiaye the hero for Senegal

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Iliman Ndiaye was restored to the Senegal line-up for today's quarter-final and he paid back Pape Thiaw's faith in him by scoring the winning goal.

It was one of the easiest goals he will score in his career, but he was rewarded for getting into the penalty area after he started the move.

A fourth international goal for the Everton forward in his 36th appearance for his country.

Desolation for Mali

The Mali players out on the pitch look crestfallen.

They put up a brilliant fight, particularly in the second half when they had one fewer than their opponents, and could have nicked an equaliser late in the second half.

But they were just left with far too much to do after their captain and star player Yves Bissouma's brain fade in first-half stoppage time. He will have to apologise to his team-mates — and his country — for letting them down today.

Pure joy for Senegal

While they were expected to win today's quarter-final — and were boosted by Bissouma's red card — the novelty of reaching the semi-final has not been lost on the Senegal players or fans.

There were jubilant scenes of celebration after the full-time whistle, and rightly so!

It isn't every day that these players book a place in a major tournament semi-final, so no one can begrudge them celerbrating.

FULL TIME: Senegal book their semi-final place!

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FT Mali 0-1 Senegal

And there goes the full-time whistle!

It wasn't their greatest performance, but Senegal are heading to the semi-finals and Mali are heading home.

Iliman Ndiaye got the only goal of the game in the first half and it was enough to send his side into the final four. Djigui Diarra was the man at fault for that opening goal but atoned for his error with a string of big saves, particularly in the second half.

Senegal will face either Egypt or Ivory Coast in the first of Wednesday's semi-finals.

Senegal not giving Mali a look in

90+6' Mali 0-1 Senegal

It hasn't been a particularly convincing second-half performance from Senegal, but they are keeping Mali at arm's length in this period of stoppage time.

Thiaw's men have played the entirety of the last couple of minutes in their opponents' half and will surely hold on for victory here.

Mane had another effort a moment ago, but was met by another strong diving save from Diarra.

Another superb Diarra save!

90+3' Mali 0-1 Senegal

He might have been at fault for Senegal's opener, but Diarra has been a mountain between the posts for Mali ever since.

After it seemed Senegal had ruined a promising counter-attacking opportunity, the ball fell perfectly for Lamine Camara on the volley and he smacked his effort towards the bottom corner.

But he was met by another big save from Diarra, who was able to claw it onto his upright and away from danger.

A great save, but Mali are rapidly running out of time.

Seven minutes added on!

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90+1' Mali 0-1 Senegal

Apologies, I thought Traore was booked as part of the incident that led to Bissouma's dismissal, but he wasn't.

The Mali right-back has now had his name by the referee for a mistimed challenge.

The resulting Senegal free kick was taken just as the fourth official indicated there will be another seven minutes of this second half.

Can 10-man Mali find another dramatic equaliser?

88' Mali 0-1 Senegal

For anyone needing a reminder, Mali scored their equaliser against Tunisia in the last 16 in the 96th minute...

Mali starting to have a go

87' Mali 0-1 Senegal

And here comes the Malian push for a late equaliser.

Their brief pressure led to a corner and it was a lovely delivery, but there was no one in a dark green shirt able to meet it.

Senegal winning the first contact from that set piece has allowed them to get up the pitch where they will be pretty keen to stay for the foreseeable.

Mali still have hope

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83' Mali 0-1 Senegal

While the deficit stands at just one goal, Mali have a chance of dragging themselves back into this quarter-final.

Their attacking influence has waned as the half has wore on but they will draw more and more encouragement as this game heads into its final stages.

Manager Saintfiet has made a trio of changes to try to inspire a late equaliser. Kamory Doumbia, Mahamadou Doumbia and El Bilal Toure have replaced Mamadou Sangare, Lassana Coulibaly and Lassine Sinayoko.

Another clash of heads

81' Mali 0-1 Senegal

Pain and injury has never been far away in this game.

Two of the bigger players on the pitch have just clashed heads, Mali's Coulibaly heading the ball clear and then sending his head crashing into the back of the head of Senegal's Koulibaly.

The Mali player has come out of that worse off and is being attended to by the physios.

78' Mali 0-1 Senegal

Djigui Diarra started this game poorly but has made several key saves in the second half to thwart Senegal. A good recovery.

Ciss misses a huge chance!

77' Mali 0-1 Senegal

Just as I mention Senegal not creating chances, they should have wrapped up the match.

Ciss pounced on a loose defensive pass and was immediately clean through on goal. Goalkeeper Djigui Diarra, who has already made amends for his first-half error, did superbly to dummy the Senegal substitute before plunging to his right to keep it out.

Ciss had Cherif Ndiaye in support screaming for the pass, but was well within his rights to go for goal there.

Another pair of Senegal changes

75' Mali 0-1 Senegal

This hasn't been quite the routine second half many Senegalese fans will have been expecting.

They have controlled the game, which is a given considering their man advantage, but haven't created much in the way of chances.

Thiaw has reacted to that by making another two substitutions; Cherif Ndiaye and Ibrahim Mbaye have come on for Habib Diallo and Iliman Ndiaye.

The Senegal fans are making a hell of a noise

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73' Mali 0-1 Senegal

They just don't stop moving, the Senegal fans, swaying rhythmically from side to side as the drums echo around the Tangier Grand Stadium.

Win, lose or draw, they support their team superbly.