Mali, Uganda share spoils and elimination

fiifi anaman

January 25, 2017 9:20 PM

Both countries miss out on knock-out phase qualification despite pulsating draw on a rainy night in Oyem

Farouk Miya scored Ugandas first Africa Cup of Nations goal in 39 years on Wednesday night but it wasnt enough to see the Cranes win their last Group D match against Mali at the ongoing AFCON in Gabon.

READ MORE: AFCON 2017

The 21-year-old Standard Liege striker's goal, which came in the 70th minute of the tie played in Oyem, was cancelled barely two minutes later by Mali's Yves Bissouma.

The result, coming on a rain soaked pitch at the Stade d'Oyem, did little change the fortunes of both nations: Uganda had already sealed elimination on match day two after their loss to Egypt, with Alain Giresse's Mali joining them after Wednesday's result.

Seven-time champions Egypt, who beat Ghana 1-0 in the other Group D fixture played simultaneously in Port Gentil, topped the group on seven points, qualifying with the Black Stars, who finish on six points.

READ MORE: Video

The Malians crash out of the group stage of the AFCON for the second tournament running, after finishing third in both the 2012 and 2013 editions.

Milutin 'Micho' Sredojevic's Uganda, meanwhile, will return home to turn their attention of making something of their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.

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