Mali vs South Africa AFCON final score, result as Eagles beat Bafana Bafana in Group E of Africa Cup of Nations 2023

Mali overcame South Africa with two quick-fire goals in the second half from Hamari Traore and Lassine Sinayoko.

The Eagles were dominant in possession throughout the first half but it was Bafana Bafana who should have opened the scoring. 

Percy Tau had a glorious opportunity as South Africa were awarded a penalty after Niakate elbowed Makgopa in the face inside the penalty area. After a swift VAR check, a penalty was awarded and up stepped Tau.

The 29-year-old blasted over the bar, much to the delight of Mali fans in the crowd. The former Brighton & Hove Albion striker had multiple chances to make amends following the missed penalty but his finishing lacked composure and ultimately that was what cost his side the victory.

Mali vs South Africa final score

South Africa should take optimism from this match as they played well for the majority of the game but fell apart in the second half. 

Following Sekou Koita's free-kick that hit the bar, Traore followed up well and tapped home.

Mali then quickly struck again, this time through Sinayoko who burst into the box, shrugged off a defender and calmly slotted past Ronwen Williams. 

The Eagles will go up against Tunisia at the weekend in the second match of Group E and South Africa will face Namibia. 

MORE: AFCON results, scores, group tables 

AFCON 2024 round dates, schedule

Hosts Ivory Coast will kickoff the opening fixture against Guinea-Bissau on January 13 in Abidjan.

The Round of 16 starts on January 27, with the quarterfinal and semifinals beginning on February 2 and 7 respectively.

Mali vs South Africa live updates, highlights from AFCON

FT: That's all! Mali get the win after a quick-fire double in the second half put the game to bed. South Africa really could have been ahead on multiple occasions in the first half and will be kicking themselves for not doing so. 

⌚ FULL-TIME!

A strong second half display from The Eagles earns them all 3 points. 🇲🇱#MLIRSA | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/2yTFjkCEeE

— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 16, 2024

90th minute: Four minutes of added time. 

88th minute: Both teams make substitutions. The goalscorer Sinayoko makes way.

84th minute: Mali are just waiting for the final whistle now and South Africa appear to be bankrupt of ideas. 

77th minute: Subs for Mali. Diabate comes on for Dieng.

74th minute: Xulu heads over the bar from a corner. South Africa really have lost their mojo since the quick-fire goals from Mali.

70th minute: South Africa really have a mountain to climb now as Mali look to continue their dominance. Oh how they should have taken their chances in the first 45. 

66th minute: GOAL! Mali double their lead! Sinayoko bursts into the South Africa box and pokes the ball past Williams, it's a tidy finish.

60th minute: GOAL! Hamari Traore makes it 1-0 to Mali after following up the rebound off the bar from Koita's free-kick.

57th minute: The first sub of the night sees Tottenham's Yves Bissouma make way for Lassana Coulibaly.

50th minute: Mali should be in the lead! It's another wasted opportunity. How is this match goalless? Sacko is played in behind and blasts it over the bar.

46th minute: The second half is upon us...

HT: That's it for the first half! South Africa will be disappointed not to be ahead after missing a penalty but Mali will take confidence from the fact they've enjoyed the majority of possession. A big second half is on the way. 

No one does it like Africans. 🥳🇲🇱🇿🇦#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 | #MLIRSA pic.twitter.com/IMzDoTn92E

— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 16, 2024

45th minute: Another fine save from Williams! Sinayoko gets in behind the Bafana Bafana defence and tries to poke it past the goalkeeper but he shuts down the angle well. 

41st minute: You may start to think there's only one player on the pitch for South Africa. It's Tau again who has a fantastic chance to make it 1-0 but his headed effort is straight at the Mali goalkeeper. 

38th minute: Tau has been the player to watch so far, even though he did miss a penalty. He's been sharp up top and found himself in good positions but could do with adding some composure to his finishing. 

32nd minute: South Africa are starting to play long ball a little bit. You get the feeling it's too soon for that tactic but we shall see!

28th minute: Mali have resumed their dominance after a brief spell from South Africa. 

23rd minute: Tau this time tries his luck from distance and he connects with it well but again, it's too high and fails to test the goalkeeper. 

20th minute: Tau opened up his body and struck the ball with his left foot but he was leaning back and the ball skied over the bar. A lifeline for Mali. 

19th minute: PENALTY MISSED! Percy Tau fires it over the bar and the Bafana Bafana fans in the crowd are stunned. They cannot believe it. 

17th minute: PENALTY to South Africa! Niakate elbows Makgopa in the face and the VAR asks the referee to take a look. He takes his time but comes to the conclusion that it is a penalty.

14th minute: South Africa come close! It's a huge save from Diara as Tau almost fired his side into the lead. 

10th minute: It's RB Leipzig's Haidara with the first real chance of the game. He connects well on the volley from distance but Williams makes a good save to deny him. 

8th minute: Mokoena's delivery is whipped into the six-yard area but Mali manage to clear the danger with ease. 

5th minute: Mali have been the better of the two sides to open the game. They've had a staggering 84% possession. 

1st minute: The referee blows his whistle and we're off!

5 minutes to KO: We're nearly ready to get underway at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium. 

15 minutes to KO: A little context between this matchup this evening. FIFA's global rankings have Mali in 51st place and South Africa in 66th. So... it could be close! 

30 minutes to KO: And here is the Mali starting XI for you this evening. Diarra (GK) — Traore, Niakate, Kouyate, Sacko — Bissouma, Dieng, Haidara — Doumbia, Koita, Sinayoko.

40 minutes to KO: Here's the team news for South Africa: Williams (GK) — Modiba, Mvala, Xulu, Mudau — Maseko, Sithole, Mokoena, Tau — Makgopa, Zwane.

We have arrived right on time! Spirits high, mood good! 🫶🏼🇿🇦⚽️ #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 #AFCON2023 #BafanaPride pic.twitter.com/te7bKt6XUf

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) January 16, 2024

1 hour to KO: We should be getting some team news any moment now. We'll bring it to you straight away!

1 hour 30 mins to KO: If you're wondering why South Africa have the nickname 'Bafana Bafana'...

Bafana Bafana comes from the Zulu meaning “the boys, the boys.” It's a nickname that originates from when the national team was formed in the late 1800s. 

2 hours to KO: Hello and welcome to the Sporting News' coverage of day four of AFCON 2023. South Africa are unbeaten in their last six matches and Mali are unbeaten in four. Who you got tonight?

Mali vs South Africa lineups, team news

Mali's squad was coming together quite nicely had it not been hit by injuries. Atalanta's El Bilal Toure, Crystal Palace's Cheick Doucoure and Southampton forward Moussa Djenepo all miss out.

Mali starting lineup (4-3-3, left to right): Diarra (GK) — Traore, Niakate, Kouyate, Sacko — Bissouma, Dieng, Haidara — Doumbia, Koita, Sinayoko.

Mali subs: To be confirmed

Despite potential injury scares, both Ronwen Williams and Mothobi Mvala are fit to start for Bafana Bafana tonight. 

South Africa starting lineup (4-2-3-1, left to right): Williams (GK) — Modiba, Mvala, Xulu, Mudau — Maseko, Sithole, Mokoena, Tau — Makgopa, Zwane.

South Africa subs: Mobbie, Mashego, Appollis, Adams, Monare, Mothwa, Lepasa, Kekana, Sibisi, Mayambela, Goss, Morena

How to watch AFCON 2024

Here's how to watch AFCON 2024 matches across selected areas of the world's major regions: