Mali showcased their strength in Group I with a confident 2-0 victory over Chad at the vibrant Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Deby Itno.
The fixture, buzzing with anticipation, saw both sides pushing early, but it was Mali’s Kamory Doumbia who stole the spotlight. The talented youngster broke the deadlock in the 19th minute, coolly finishing a flowing move to give the visitors an early edge.
Chad, backed by their home fans, refused to roll over, battling spiritedly in midfield. However, they struggled to truly test Mali’s disciplined defense or create clear chances. As the second half rolled on, Mali’s composure and experience shone through. Doumbia, brimming with confidence, notched his second of the night in the 74th minute after a clever assist from captain Amadou Dante, putting the result beyond doubt.
Despite some late substitutions and a spirited effort from Chad to break their scoring drought, Mali stood firm. The final whistle confirmed a vital away win for Mali, who leave Ndjamena with three points.
