Iliman Ndiaye’s First-Half Strike Sends Senegal Through to the AFCON Semi-finals

Kenya, 9 January 2026 - Senegal have booked their place in the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 semifinals after a closely contested 1-0 victory over Mali in the quarterfinals on Friday, courtesy of a first-half goal from Iliman Ndiaye.

The Teranga Lions showcased resilience and tactical discipline to overcome a stubborn Malian side and advance to the final four of Africa’s premier national team competition.

The decisive moment came in the 27th minute when Senegal’s dynamic forward Iliman Ndiaye capitalised on a defensive lapse to find the back of the net.

A well-worked buildup down the right flank saw Senegal win possession high up the pitch, and Ndiaye, showing excellent awareness and composure, reacted quickest inside the penalty area to slot home the breakthrough.

Mali’s task became even more difficult in the first-half stoppage time when they were reduced to ten men following a red card.

The dismissal shifted the momentum firmly in Senegal’s favour and forced Mali into a more cautious and defensive approach for the remainder of the contest.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Eagles showed admirable determination and continued to compete with intensity.

The goal proved enough to separate the two sides, as Mali struggled to create clear scoring opportunities throughout the second half.

Playing against one of the tournament favourites, they showed grit and fight, but their momentum was disrupted by the sending-off and their inability to turn promising situations into genuine chances.