Africa Deaflympics Championships finale turned into West Africa affair after favourites Egypt are knocked out on penalties
It will be an all West African finale on Saturday during the climax of the Africa Deaflympics Championships after both Senegal and Mali sailed through after thrilling semi-final matches.
In the first semi-finals of the day, Senegal thumped their neighbors Cameroon 4-1 in a one sided match, thanks to goals from Tafsir Ibnou, Sarr Allasanne, Handout Djeoudu (own goal) and a Dieng Ismalla penalty as Cameroon’s consolation came from Ainock Simon Pierre.
The match was a difficult one for Cameroon as they ended the duel with 10 men following a red card showed to defender Hubert Mutamal.
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Senegal will have to thank their custodian Khadima Diaw Bamba who put them in the match with brilliant saves as Cameroon threw everything at him.
In the next semi-finals, pre-match favourites Egypt fell to a shock 4-3 loss to un fancied Mali on post match penalties after a 2-2 draw during regular time.
Egypt scored two quick opening goals within 10 minutes of the first whistle, through Reda Abdel Elhemdy’s seventh minute penalty and a 10th minute super finish by Mohamed Alnery before Mamadou Traore reduced the deficit in the 24th minute through a powerful header for a 2-1 half-time score.
Mali got their equalizer in the 58th minute after Mousa Keira rounded off the opposing goalkeeper Said Anwar Mokowi.
With the match going to extra time and no team willing to budge despite the fatigue,it was down to spot-kicks to decide the tie.
Mali was to score it’s penalties through Moussa Diallo Keita, Dialibe Dioumana, Aboubakar Cisse and Yagaita Dioufaya with the misses coming from Mohammed Ba and Seydou Cissouma.
On the part of Egypt, their scorers were Mohamed Ahmed, Reda Abdel Wahab and Elbana Hassan while the misses came through Escah Alah Ismail and Elsayed Abdul.
Egypt will now square it out with Cameroon for the third prize on Saturday as the tournament comes to a close.
