Haidara and Mali through to round of 16 at the AFCON
Amadou Haidara misses final group stage game | Mali through to the knockout stages
Amadou Haidara is currently taking part in the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, which kicked off on 13th January.
Read on for updates on how our number 8 and the Mali national team are doing at this year's tournament.
Find out everything you need to know about AFCON 2024 below.
Here's how it's going for Amadou Haidara with Mali
- Mali – South Africa | 2-0
Doudou made the perfect start to the tournament with Mali. Driven on by our midfielder, Mali took control of the game from the outset and created numerous chances.
Nevertheless, the goals only arrived in the second half: Whilst Doudou failed to convert from around ten yards out (49’), his teammates scored a quick-fire double shortly afterwards. First, Traoré stabbed home after Doumbia had hit the bar with a free-kick (60’), before Sinayoko doubled his side’s advantage with the outside of his foot following a mistake from South Africa in their build-up play (66’).
Doudou was given the Man of the Match award for a strong performance.
- Tunisia – Mali | 1-1
After a 1-1 draw against Tunisia, Mali have managed to take four points from their first two group stage matches.
Doudou was once again in the starting line-up and was later taken off with a knock in the 70th minute, having helped set up the opening goal for his country.
Haidara picked out Doumbia with a pass, who then laid it off to Sinayoko, who went on to open the scoring (10'). Tunisia were able to equalise just 10 minutes later, as Hamza Rafia slotted home in what was an intense first half.
Mali enjoyed the better chances after the break, but were unable to make them count in order to take all three points.
- Namibia – Mali | 0-0
Mali delivered another strong defensive performance in their final group stage game, with goalkeeper Djigui Diarra keeping his second clean sheet of the tournament.
With the result, Mali maintained their unbeaten record in the group stage and are through to the round of 16 as the group winners.
Doudou Haidara did not feature after having been taken off with a knock in the previous game against Tunisia (1-1).
When and where is the AFCON 2024 taking place?
- The tournament takes place every two years, with this year's edition taking place from 13th January to 11th February.
- The AFCON will be hosted in five different cities in Côte d'Ivoire, with games spread out across six stadiums. The opening game took place between hosts Côte d'Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau (2-0).
Which countries are taking part and what is the tournament format?
- A total of 24 teams will take part in the tournament, split into six groups for the opening stages.
- The top two teams in each group will qualify for the round of 16. The four top third-placed sides will also advance to the next round. From there, the tournament will proceed through the knockout stages all the way to the final.
The last 16 so far:
- Angola 3-0 Namibia
- Nigeria 2-0 Cameroon
- Äquatorialguinea 0-1 Guinea
- Ägypten 1-1 DR Congo (DR Congo win 8-7 on penalties)
- Cabo Verde - Mauritania (Monday, 18:00 CET)
- Senegal - Côte d’Ivoire (Monday, 21:00 CET)
- Mali - Burkina Faso (Tuesday, 18:00 CET)
- Morocco - South Africa (Tuesday, 21:00 CET)
Who are the defending champions and which other Bundesliga players are taking part?
- Senegal lifted the trophy in 2022 with Sadio Mané in their ranks, beating Egypt on penalties in the final. Both teams are once again amongst the favourites to win the tournament this year. The record champions in this competition are Egypt with seven titles.
Other Bundesliga players taking part at the AFCON 2024:
- Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso), Odilon Kossounou (Côte d'Ivoire) and Amine Adli (Morocco) – all Bayer Leverkusen
- Fares Chaibi (Algeria), Omar Marmoush (Egypt) and Ellyes Skhiri (Tunesia) – all Eintracht Frankfurt
- Ramy Bensebaini (Algeria) and Sebastien Haller (Côte d'Ivoire) – both Borussia Dortmund
- Serhou Guirassy (Guinea) and Silas (DR Congo) – both VfB Stuttgart
- Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco) – FC Bayern München
- Naby Keita (Guinea) – SV Werder Bremern
- Aissa Laidouni (Tunesia) – Union Berlin
Ilaix Moriba (currently on loan at Getafe) is also taking part in the tournament with Guinea. Ilaix was in the starting eleven for Guinea's first group game, with his side securing a 1-1 draw against Cameroon.