Namibia hold Mali to reach last 16 for first time

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By Michael BeardmoreBBC Sport

Last updated on 12 minutes ago.From the section Football

Namibia and Mali registered just three shots on target between them in their Group E finale at Stade Laurent Pokou in San Pedro

Namibia booked a first ever appearance in the last 16 of the African Cup of Nations by holding a Mali side who topped Group E by virtue of the point.

The draw puts Namibia, who came closest to scoring when Prins Tjiueza hit the post, through as one of the group stage's four best third-placed teams.

The Brave Warriors will take on Group D winners Angola in the first knock-out round while Mali face Burkina Faso.

The result kept host nation Ivory Coast sweating over their progression hopes.

The Elephants, who finished third in Group A, are left relying on results in Group F later on Wednesday to determine whether they will qualify or face an embarrassing early exit.

Mali negotiated the group stage unbeaten, with South Africa's 0-0 draw with Tunisia in the group's other final game ensuring the Eagles claimed top spot.

Namibia, meanwhile, survived a late onslaught from the West Africans to emulate fellow minnows Mauritania's achievement of reaching the knock-out stages for the first time.

Their game with Angola will kick off the last 16 on Saturday in Bouake while Mali meet Burkina Faso in Korhogo on Tuesday (both matches 17:00 GMT).

More to follow.

Line-ups

Namibia

Formation 4-1-4-1

1Kazapua
20Kamberipa
12Amutenya
21Haukongo
4Hanamub
18Petrus
9MuzeuSubstituted forIimbondiat 74'minutes
10TjiuezaSubstituted forPapamaat 79'minutes
6KatuaSubstituted forHambiraat 89'minutes
7HottoBooked at 45mins
13ShalulileSubstituted forHaosebat 90'minutes

Substitutes

2Haoseb
3Gebhardt
5Hambira
8Kambato
11Iimbondi
14Kamatuka
15Papama
16Ndisiro
17Rudath
19Shitembi
23Maova

Mali

Formation 4-4-2

16Diarra
2Traoré
5Kouyaté
6Niakaté
13DiarraSubstituted forDantéat 68'minutes
19DiabatéSubstituted forTraoréat 81'minutes
23DiengSubstituted forCamaraat 68'minutes
10Bissouma
27Dorgeles
18NiakatéSubstituted forDoumbiaat 53'minutes
25SinayokoSubstituted forSissokoat 52'minutes

Substitutes

1Diawara
3Danté
8Samassékou
9Sissoko
11Coulibaly
12Camara
15Fofana
17Sacko
20Koïta
21Traoré
22Doumbia
26Doumbia

Live Text

Match ends, Namibia 0, Mali 0.
Second Half ends, Namibia 0, Mali 0.
Corner, Mali. Conceded by Charles Hambira.
Corner, Namibia. Conceded by Adama Traoré.
Substitution, Namibia. Denzil Haoseb replaces Peter Shalulile.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Substitution, Namibia. Charles Hambira replaces Ngero Katua.
Delay in match because of an injury Lloyd Kazapua (Namibia).
Attempt blocked. Adama Traoré (Mali) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Mohamed Camara (Mali) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Ngero Katua (Namibia).
Attempt blocked. Mohamed Camara (Mali) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Nene Dorgeles.
Attempt missed. Yves Bissouma (Mali) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Adama Traoré with a cross following a corner.
Corner, Mali. Conceded by Lloyd Kazapua.
Attempt saved. Amadou Danté (Mali) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Kamory Doumbia (Mali) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Aprocius Petrus (Namibia).
Attempt blocked. Hamari Traoré (Mali) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Mohamed Camara.
Substitution, Mali. Adama Traoré replaces Fousseni Diabaté.
Substitution, Namibia. Marcell Papama replaces Prins Tjiueza.