Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly has acknowledged the scale of the challenge his side faced in edging past Mali to reach the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The Lions of Teranga progressed with a 1-0 success over the Eagles of Mali in a quarter-final that demanded composure, resilience and patience long after the decisive moment had arrived.
Having taken the lead, Senegal were unable to settle into control, with Koulibaly revealing that the team struggled to find the right balance for large parts of the contest.
“In terms of the match itself, we managed to score that goal. It’s good that we scored that goal. But from the moment we got going, I think there was a lot of difficulty.”
The centre-back described a performance that, while effective in the final scoreline, did not always reflect the authority of the reigning champions.
Senegal were often caught between pressing high and sitting deep, a hesitation that allowed Mali to grow in confidence despite being under pressure.
“We didn’t know how to position ourselves. But then the coach addressed those things at halftime. With experience, we showed that we are a solid team. It’s true that we conceded a few chances. You have to respect everyone. You know, it’s hard to come in and claim that you’re better than everyone else.”
Koulibaly’s words painted the picture of a contest in which Senegal’s maturity eventually outweighed Mali’s intensity.
After the break, the champions appeared more organised, cutting off spaces and slowing the rhythm of the match to protect their slender advantage.
Even so, the Eagles refused to fade quietly, continuing to test Senegal’s defensive line and forcing moments of alarm in the final third.
The Napoli defender insisted that the fixture had been treated as a rivalry clash rather than a routine knockout tie, underlining how seriously the squad approached the encounter.
“You have to put it out there on the pitch. Today, that’s the fundamental problem for a clever team. I approached this match like a derby. That is to say, we wanted to do everything to win this match. We did everything.”
That derby mentality, Koulibaly suggested, was essential in navigating a quarter-final that offered little in the way of comfort.
Mali’s stubborn resistance meant Senegal could not afford complacency, even after breaking the deadlock.
Instead, the Lions were forced to rely on their collective experience, soaking up pressure and waiting for the final whistle to confirm their place in the last four.
The captain’s assessment also reflected a broader theme of the tournament: that reputations alone are no longer enough to guarantee progress. Every opponent must be respected, every lead must be protected with discipline, and every moment must be earned on the pitch.
For Senegal, the victory keeps alive the dream of adding another continental crown, but Koulibaly’s reflections make it clear that the road ahead will demand even greater clarity and cohesion.
The semi-finals will present a new test, one that will again require the Lions to balance ambition with control if they are to go any further.
