Uganda and Mali bow out following draw – Africa Cup of Nations 2017

Group D

Mali 1-1 Uganda

Mali’s slim hopes of progressing to the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations were dashed after a 1-1 draw with Uganda in their final Group D match at Stade d’Oyem.

Alain Giresse’s side needed to beat Uganda and hope the already-qualified Ghana would do them a favour against Egypt in the other Group D match at Stade de Port Gentil, if they were to qualify as runners-up.

But, on a sodden, waterlogged Oyem pitch, the Eagles struggled to break down Milutin Sredojevic’s well-drilled side.

And their task was made all the harder in the 70th minute, when Standard Leige midfielder Farouk Miya netted with a fine strike from the edge of the area for the Cranes’ first goal at the Cup of Nations since 1978.

Lille midfielder Yves Bissouma levelled three minutes later with a thunderous free-kick, but, despite the best efforts of substitute Kalifa Coulibaly, Mali were unable to add a second.

Egypt’s 1-0 win over Ghana sees Hector Cuper’s side top the group, and the Pharoahs will face Morocco in the quarter-final on Sunday, with Ghana meeting DR Congo in Oyem.