Mali 1 Benin 0: Kanouté gives Mali opening spoils from penalty spot
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Frédéric Kanouté scored a penalty in the 48th minute to help Mali beat Benin in Group B last night. The South African referee Damon Jerome pointed to the spot immediately after Dramane Traoré was fouled in the area by Alain Gaspoz, and Kanouté converted.
Seidah Tchomogo had had a chance to put Benin ahead in the 14th minute but his glancing header from the edge of the box went wide.
"It was quite tough on the pitch," Kanouté said. "Benin worked hard today and the most important thing is that we won."
The match was delayed by 10 minutes because of a power failure at Sekondi's newly renovated stadium.
The West African teams played in the same qualifying group, which Mali won and in which Benin finished second one point behind.
Liverpool's Momo Sissoko played no part in the game as Mali's French coach Jean-François Jodar opted for a three-man midfield consisting of Real Madrid's Mahamadou Diarra, Seville's Seydou Keita and Bassala Touré.
Mali: Mahamadou Sidibe; Coulibaly, Diamoutene, Diarra, Keita, Touré (Diakite, 72), A Sidibe, D Traoré (Mamady Sidibe, 55; S Traoré, 89), Kante, Dembele, Kanouté.
Benin: Chitou; Gaspoz, Adenon, Chrysostome, Oketola (Sessegnon, 53), Boco, Adjamossi, S Tchomogo, Ahoueya (Oladipikpo, 82), Omotoyossi, O Tchomogo (Maiga, 70).
Referee: D Jerome (South Africa).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments