Mali, South Africa and Namibia reach last-16 at Africa Cup of Nations

Mali moved into the last-16 as winners of Group E following a 0-0 draw with Namibia who advanced to the knockout stages for the first time. South Africa progressed as runners-up of the pool after their 0-0 stalemate in Korhogo with Tunisia who slump out of the tournament.

Deon Hotto (left) was one of the stars of the Namibia side that beat Tunisia and drew with Mali during their surge to a first appearance in the knockout stages at an Africa Cup of Nations tournament. AP - Sunday Alamba

Mali were assured of progress before the game at the Stade Laurent Pokou in San Pedro. 

Namibia were looking to bounce back from their 4-0 drubbing to South Africa on 20 January which had dampened their ardour after beating Tunisia to launch only their third participation in the final tournament.

Though a point suited both sides, Namibia, with the prospect of a first appearance in the knockout stages, were understandably the livelier of the two outfits.

Deon Hotto was a nimble presence cutting in from the Namibian right but he was well marshalled by the Mali skipper Hamari Traoré. 

Certainty

Assured of his team's continuation and perhaps just to rile his counterpart Collin Benjamin, Mali boss Éric Chelle opted to remove strikers Lassine Sinayoko and Youssoufou Niakate just before the hour mark and replace them with Ibrahim Sissoko and Kamory Doumbia.

Within minutes of his arrival, Sissoko showed why he had been held back ploughing his shot a high over Lloyd Kazapua's goal following a good ball to him along the edge of the penalty area.

But his rangy dislocation unruffled the Namibia back line and Mali finished more dynamically as their opponents' nerves and fatigue grew as their dream spot approached.

The Namibians But held on for the draw and another game at a tournament where their supposed betters such as Algeria, Ghana and Tunisia have fallen.

As a result of the draws, a couple of derbies will take place. Mali play next-door neighbours Burkina Faso in Korhogo next Tuesday while Namibia will look for bragging rights and a place in the last eight for the first time when they take on Angola on 27 January in Bouaké. South Africa will play the Group F winners on 30 January in San Pedro.