Mali Held to Draw by Central African Republic in WCQ Clash
Mali’s 0-0 draw against the Central African Republic in the 2026 WCQ hindered their chance to close in on group leaders Ghana. Despite dominating, they lacked finishing, while CAR improved after a heavy defeat last week. Mali remains third in Group I, tied with Comoros.
In the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match, Mali faced off against the Central African Republic (CAR) in Casablanca, resulting in a goalless draw. This outcome was disappointing for Mali, who aimed to narrow the points gap with Group I leaders Ghana following their recent 4-1 loss to Madagascar. Despite controlling the match, Mali’s attack proved ineffective and they failed to convert opportunities into goals.
Throughout the match, CAR struggled to maintain possession but nearly took the lead when Dorgeles Nene missed a close-range chance. In the second half, Mali intensified their efforts, with Sikou Niakaté heading wide and Cheick Oumar Konaté striking the post. However, recurring penalty appeals made by Mali were dismissed by the referee, Godfrey Nkhakananga, while CAR’s defense remained resilient.
Following this draw, Mali now shares the same number of points as Comoros, holding third place in Group I and trailing Madagascar by a single point. Although CAR improved from their previous match, they managed to secure a point but remain in fifth place with five points. The current standings feature Ghana leading the group, followed by Madagascar, Mali, Comoros, CAR, and Chad at the bottom.
To qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, group winners will secure direct entry, while four of the nine runners-up will advance to a playoff that determines Africa’s representative at the intercontinental qualifying playoff.
The match between Mali and the Central African Republic ultimately concluded in a 0-0 draw, disappointing Mali as they missed the opportunity to reduce the gap with Ghana in Group I standings. Despite dominating possession and creating several chances, they failed to secure a victory, leaving them tied on points with Comoros. CAR’s improved performance allowed them to achieve a crucial point, maintaining their place in the competition.
Original Source: www.panafricafootball.com
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