Mali faced a major setback early in their Africa Cup of Nations last-16 clash against Tunisia after referee Tom Abonjel sent off defender Coulibaly just 26 minutes into the contest in Morocco.
The incident unfolded during a tense opening period of the knockout tie, with both sides still locked in a goalless stalemate.
As Tunisia pressed down the right flank, Coulibaly challenged midfielder Hannibal Mejbri in a physical duel.
The Malian defender stamped on the back of Mejbri’s leg, leaving the South African referee with little room for interpretation.
Abonjel immediately reached for his red card, reducing Mali to 10 men before the half-hour mark.
The dismissal shifted the balance of the match instantly. Mali, who had started with discipline and structure, now faced the challenge of reorganising their shape and maintaining concentration against a full-strength Tunisian side.
Tunisia, known as the Carthage Eagles, sensed an opportunity to control possession and stretch their opponents across the pitch.
Players from both teams reacted strongly to the decision. Tunisian players appealed vigorously, while Malian teammates surrounded the referee in frustration.
Abonjel stood firm, reinforcing his authority and allowing play to resume after a brief delay.
The referee’s decisive action underlined the strict enforcement of discipline at the tournament, particularly during the high-stakes knockout phase.
Before the red card, the match had developed cautiously. Both teams focused on defensive solidity, limiting clear chances and keeping their goalkeepers largely untroubled.
The sending-off changed the rhythm of the game, forcing Mali to sacrifice attacking intent in order to remain competitive.
Tunisia attempted to exploit the numerical advantage by pushing their full-backs higher and increasing the tempo in midfield.
Mali responded with resilience, dropping deeper and relying on compact defending to frustrate their opponents.
The crowd in Morocco watched a contest that now carried an added layer of drama, shaped by one moment of indiscipline.
The incident marked a turning point in the second round-of-16 match at AFCON 2025, highlighting how quickly fortunes can shift at international tournaments.
With Coulibaly dismissed and Mali forced into damage control, the remainder of the match promised intensity, tactical adjustments, and emotional pressure on both sides.
