Quick Report: Mali 3-1 Malawi

(GSM) – Mali have been eliminated, on the basis of their head to head record, from the African Nations Cup despite a 3-1 win over Malawi in their last Group A game.

Mali, finished third with level on four points with second-placed Algeria, who with drew 0-0 with hosts and Group A winners Angola (5), as the World Cup-bound Algerians advanced by virtue of their head-to-head record with Mali.

Malawi were bottom with three points.

Mali got off to a flying start with goals from Frederic Kanoute and Seydou Keita in the first and third minutes. Russell Mwafulirwa replied for Malawi before Mamadou Bagayoko put the result beyond doubt five minutes from time.

Mali, who lost 1-0 to Algeria last week, have not made it past the first round in the Nations Cup since 2004 when they reached the semi-finals.