Mali U23s beat Zimbabwe 3-0 in Harare in qualifiers
Fousseni Diawara's Eagles Hopefuls took a three-goal lead into the return leg in Bamako on November 17 after the first-round win.
Mali's Eagles Hopefuls beat Zimbabwe 3-0 on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, in Harare, in the first leg of the second round of the 2027 U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Aboubacar Sidibé opened the scoring in the 7th minute, Niama Pape Sissoko doubled the lead in the 22nd minute, and Seydou Dembélé added the third in the 53rd minute. Mali conceded nothing.
Coach Fousseni Diawara's side were exempt from the first round. Zimbabwe's Young Warriors had eliminated Mauritius by winning both legs, 2-0 and 4-1. Captain Hamidou Makalou led the team, which now holds a three-goal advantage.
The return leg is set for November 17 in Bamako. The winner of the tie will meet Algeria or Eswatini in the third and final qualifying round.
Why it mattersMali's team goes into the Bamako return leg with a three-goal lead, and the winner advances to the third qualifying round against Algeria or Eswatini.