Mali dramatically advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Tunisia 3-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in extra time, despite playing with ten men for most of the Round of 16 clash at the Mohammed V Stadium on Saturday.

The Eagles, reduced to ten players after Woyo Coulibaly’s straight red card in the 26th minute for a lunging tackle on Hannibal Mejbri, looked destined for elimination when substitute Firas Chaouat headed Tunisia ahead in the 88th minute from Elias Saad’s cross.

However, in a frantic finish, Yassine Meriah’s handball in the box during stoppage time allowed Lassine Sinayoko to equalize from the penalty spot in the 96th minute, forcing extra time.

With no further goals in the additional 30 minutes, the match went to penalties. Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra emerged as the hero, saving shots from Elias Achouri and Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane. El Bilal Touré slotted home the decisive kick after Ali Abdi skied his effort, sealing a 3-2 shootout victory.

Mali captain Yves Bissouma and Nene Dorgeles missed for the Eagles in the shootout, but Diarra’s saves proved pivotal in one of the tournament’s most thrilling encounters.

The result sets up a blockbuster West African quarter-final showdown between Mali and defending champions Senegal, who earlier dispatched Sudan 3-1 in Tangier.

Senegal, led by braces from Pape Gueye and a late strike from teenage substitute Ibrahim Mbaye, will face Mali on January 9 at the Grand Stade de Tangier.

Mali coach Eric Chelle praised his side’s resilience: “Playing with ten men for so long and coming back like that shows the character in this team. We’re ready for Senegal—it’s going to be a tough battle.

“Tunisia, who dominated possession but struggled to break down Mali’s defensive setup, exit the tournament after a frustrating campaign, having won only one group-stage match.

The 2025 AFCON, hosted in Morocco, continues with more Round of 16 fixtures on Sunday, including hosts Morocco against Tanzania. The quarter-finals promise intense matchups as the race for the title heats up.

British-Nigerian heavyweight boxer, Anthony Joshua, has been discharged from Duchess International Hospital in Ikeja, Lagos.

Joshua, who survived an accident that led to the loss of the lives of two of his friends, was involved in the accident on Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

In a statement on Thursday, Gbenga Omotoso, Lagos Commissioner of Information, and Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Information and Strategy, confirmed the discharge of the boxing champion.

The governments of Lagos and Ogun states once again, commiserate with the families of the two young men Lateef Ayodele and Gami Cina who tragically and unfortunately lost their lives in the road accident involving Anthony Joshua.”

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will clash with Mozambique in one of the Round of 16 fixtures at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

The 35,000-capacity Complexe Sportif de Fès, Nigeria’s home ground throughout their Group C matches, will host the encounter, which kicks off at 8:00 p.m. on Monday, January 5.

Nigeria cruised through the group stage with maximum points, winning all three matches, scoring eight goals and conceding four.

Ademola Lookman and Raphael Onyedika have each scored twice, while Semi Ajayi, Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Paul Onuachu have also found the net.

Mozambique, on the other hand, began their campaign with a loss to defending champions Côte d’Ivoire, bounced back with a hard-fought victory over Gabon, and then fell 2–1 to Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions on Wednesday evening.

Historically, Nigeria have dominated this fixture, winning four of their five previous meetings. This includes their only AFCON clash, a 3–0 victory in Lubango, Angola, in January 2010.