Latest news with #AissataTraore
BBC News
6 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Draw puts Mali on brink of Wafcon quarter-finals
Mali edged closer to a quarter-final place at the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations after coming from behind to claim a 1-1 draw against Ghana in Kusi gave the Black Queens a sixth-minute lead when she bundled the ball in on the line as Mali defender Coulouba Sogore tried to clear a deflected header which was spinning into the levelled in the 52nd minute when Aissata Traore outmuscled Portia Boakye to latch on to Saratou Traore's through ball and steer past Ghana goalkeeper Cynthia Female Eagles have four points after two games in Group C, a tally which should at least be enough to secure a spot in the knockout stages as one of two best third-placed first point at this year's finals means Kim Bjorkegren's side will need to win their final group match against Tanzania on Monday to have a chance of champions South Africa face the East Africans in Friday's late Group C game in Oujda (19:00 GMT).
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Traore strike edges Mali past Tanzania at Wafcon
Mali finished fourth at the 2018 Wafcon but failed to qualify for the 2022 edition [BackPage Pix] A goal in first-half stoppage time by Saratou Traore was enough for Mali to edge a tight Group C encounter against Tanzania as both sides began their campaigns at the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations. In a game of contrasting styles, the Malians' extra pace and power ultimately won out against the pass-and-move tactics of their East African opponents, whose patient approach play lacked a cutting edge. Advertisement Played in a largely empty stadium in Berkane, it was an encounter that struggled to set pulses racing. The only goal came in the first minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half, with midfielder Traore firing low into the net from just inside the penalty area as Tanzania failed to properly clear a free-kick. The Female Eagles had the better of the chances throughout the match, with Aissata Traore, who finished the match with her head wrapped in a white bandage, wasting several presentable opportunities. The West Africans join South Africa on three points in Group C after the defending champions beat Ghana 2-0 earlier on Monday. Advertisement Tanzania, who have now lost all four of their games at Wafcon finals, will have a chance to improve their record when they face South Africa in Oujda on Friday (19:00 GMT), while Mali remain in Berkane to take on Ghana earlier the same day (16:00 GMT). Absentees hurt Tanzania Returning to Wafcon after a 15-year absence, Tanzania would have hoped to call on three of their overseas stars - Clara Luvanga, Opa Clement and Aisha Masaka - for this opening game. Instead, the lowest-ranked side in Group C saw Brighton & Hove Albion forward Masaka drop out of the pre-tournament training camp with a knee injury, Al-Nassr striker Luvanga was listed as absent, as opposed to injured, on the pre-match teamsheet and Opah, who plays in Mexico, was suspended. Advertisement Coach Bakari Shime described the situation as "a major problem" in his press conference after the game. When they were on the front foot in the game, diminutive playmaker Diana Msewa was at the heart of the Twiga Stars' best work, looking especially bright on the ball in the early stages. But as the red skies above the Berkane Stadium darkened, Mali began to get a grip on proceedings. First Saratou Traore hooked wide after bundling her way into the box, before a slaloming run from Aissata Traore got the few fans in attendance on their feet, even if she ultimately dwelled too long on the ball and found herself crowded out by defenders. Advertisement Fatoumata Diarra then saw a long-range effort parried by Tanzania goalkeeper Najiati Idrisa, with Kadidiatou Diabate unable to convert the follow-up. But Saratou Traore made no mistake with her goal, showing composure to keep a first-time effort down as it dropped invitingly into space after several bodies contested a set piece swung in from the right-hand touchline. Tanzania had to wait until added time in the second half for their best opportunity, only to see Mali defender Aicha Samake put her body on the line to block a goal-bound shot from substitute Elizabeth Chenge. That challenge ensured Mali, who finished fourth at the 2018 finals, kept their first ever Wafcon clean sheet, while also winning their opening game for the first time. Advertisement Tanzania, East Africa's only representative at the tournament, may play with admirable style, but will have to find a way to add some incision to their game if they hope to prolong their stay in Morocco.
BBC News
07-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Traore strike sees Mali edge past Tanzania at Wafcon
A goal in first-half injury time from Saratou Traore was enough to see Mali edge a tight Group C encounter against Tanzania as both sides began their campaigns at the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon).In a game of contrasting styles, the Malians' extra pace and power ultimately won out against the pass-and-move tactics of their East African opponents, whose patient approach play lacked a cutting in a largely empty stadium in Berkane, it was an encounter that struggled to set pulses only goal came in the first minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half, with midfielder Traore firing low into the net from just inside the penalty area as Tanzania failed to properly clear a Female Eagles had the better of the chances throughout the match, with Aissata Traore, who finished the match with her head wrapped in a white bandage, wasting several presentable West Africans join South Africa on three points in Group C after the defending champions beat Ghana 2-0 earlier on who have now lost all four of their games at Wafcon finals, will have a chance to improve their record when they face South Africa in Oujda on Friday (19:00 GMT), while Mali remain in Berkane to take on Ghana earlier the same day (16:00 GMT).
