Dreams FC shocks Stade Malien with surprise victory in CAF Cup quarter-finals
Dreams FC pulled off a stunning upset against Stade Malien in the first leg of the CAF Cup quarter-finals, securing a 2-1 victory at the 26 Mars Stadium in Bamako on Sunday, March 31.
Facing their opponents on their home turf, Stade Malien found themselves on the back foot as Dreams FC seized control of the match.
Despite a closely contested first half that saw both teams evenly matched, it was Dreams FC who ultimately emerged victorious, much to the surprise of the home crowd.
The turning point of the match came in the second half, with Stade Malien taking the lead shortly after returning from the halftime break.
Yoro Mamadou Diaby broke the deadlock for the home side, capitalizing on an assist from Daouda Coulibaly to give Stade Malien a 1-0 advantage in the 53rd minute.
However, Dreams FC wasted no time in responding, with John Antwi restoring parity just 13 minutes later with a clinical finish to level the score at 1-1.
As the match progressed, Dreams FC continued to press forward, eventually seizing the lead with a brace from John Antwi.
The Ghanaian striker capitalized on a penalty awarded with the assistance of VAR, confidently converting from the spot in the 73rd minute to put Dreams FC ahead.
Despite Stade Malien’s efforts to mount a comeback, their task was made more challenging when Fady Sidiki Coulibaly was shown a red card in the dying moments of the match, reducing them to ten men.
With the final whistle blowing, Dreams FC emerged victorious, leaving Stade Malien with a mountain to climb in the second leg of the quarter-finals.
The Malian club will be under pressure to deliver a strong performance when they face Dreams FC in the return fixture scheduled for April 7, 2024, in Accra.
As anticipation builds for the decisive clash, football fans around the world eagerly await the outcome of what promises to be an enthralling encounter.
