Sports Reporter
THE Young Warriors were completely outplayed by a technically superior Mali in a second round, first leg tie of the 2027 AFCON Under-23 Qualifiers at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
Mali cruised to a comfortable 3-0 away victory and have all but qualified to the next round.
Straight from kick-off, Mali were clearly a different opponent to Mauritius, who offered little resistance to the Young Warriors in the opening round.
Mali took control of proceedings from the beginning and took a deserved lead in the eighth minute through Aboubacar Sidibé.
And they doubled their lead from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute after a foul by goalkeeper, Tatenda Chikowero.
Pape Sissoko took the responsibility and smashed the ball beyond Chikowero.
Mali sealed the scoring in the 55th minute courtesy of Seydou Dembélé.
The visitors twice hit the woodwork after their third goal as the Young Warriors defenders continued to make errors.
Stand-in coach Wilson Mutekede would have enjoyed the last five minutes of the game when the Young Warriors suddenly brought urgency in their play in search of a consolation goal.
They however, fluffed the couple of opportunities that came their way.
