Ivory Coast delivered a statement performance at the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, defeating Mali 4-2 to seal their place in the quarter-finals and earn qualification for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
The young Elephants dominated the clash at Berrechid Municipal Stadium in Morocco, racing to a 3-0 lead before holding off a late Malian resurgence.
The result sees Ivory Coast finish at the summit of Group D, leapfrogging Mali, who had already secured qualification for the knockout stages ahead of the final group match.
Alynho Haïdara was the standout early on, striking twice inside 18 minutes.
His first came in the fourth minute, giving Ivory Coast the perfect start, before doubling the advantage just 14 minutes later with another clinical finish.
Moïse Diarrassouba extended the lead in the 41st minute, putting the Ivorians firmly in control.
Mali, however, refused to go down quietly. Seydou Dembélé pulled a goal back just before the break in the third minute of added time, injecting hope into the Malian side as they headed into the dressing room.
In the second half, Mali intensified the pressure and were rewarded in the 69th minute when Ndjicoura Bomba reduced the deficit to just one, setting up a tense final stretch.
But any hopes of a comeback were dashed deep into stoppage time, when Broulaye Cissé curled home a brilliant fourth for Ivory Coast in the 95th minute to seal the result.
The victory not only secures Ivory Coast’s progression to the quarter-finals but also guarantees them a spot at the next FIFA U-17 World Cup — an achievement reserved for the semi-finalists at this year’s continental tournament.
Ivory Coast’s triumph over a previously unbeaten Mali side underlines their growing momentum in the competition.
Mali, despite the defeat, move into the last eight as group runners-up and remain strong contenders.
Both teams will now prepare to face opponents from Group C in the quarter-finals, with Senegal, Tunisia, and Gambia all potential adversaries.
The stage is set for an intense knockout round, but for now, it’s Ivory Coast who will celebrate a performance full of attacking flair and decisive finishing.
