The Man of the Moment: Iliman Ndiaye
In a high-stakes West African derby held at the Grand Stade de Tanger on Friday, January 9, 2026, Iliman Ndiaye was officially named the TotalEnergies Man of the Match.
The Everton forward, who was a surprise recall to the starting lineup after being benched in the previous round, silenced his critics in the 27th minute. Capitalizing on a rare lapse in judgment by Malian goalkeeper Djigui Diarra, Ndiaye pounced on a loose ball to slot home the only goal of the game.
"I am happy to have won the player of the match award, but the most important thing is that we have progressed," Ndiaye said during his post-match interview. "We are improving match after match."
Match Breakdown: A Tale of Two Halves
The match was a tactical chess game that turned into a battle of attrition. While Senegal dominated the early exchanges, Mali looked dangerous on the break until a moment of madness changed the course of the tournament.
• The Turning Point: In the dying seconds of the first half, Mali’s captain and midfield engine, Yves Bissouma, was shown a second yellow card for a reckless foul on Idrissa Gana Gueye. The dismissal left "The Eagles" with a mountain to climb.
• The Resistance: Despite playing with 10 men for over 45 minutes, Mali showed incredible spirit. Goalkeeper Djigui Diarra, seeking redemption for his earlier error, produced a string of "world-class" saves to deny Sadio Mané and Lamine Camara, keeping Mali’s dreams alive until the final whistle.
• Senegal’s Dominance: Senegal’s coach, Pape Thiaw, managed the game with clinical precision. Though they failed to add a second goal, their defensive structure remained impenetrable, securing a 1-0 victory and their third semi-final appearance in the last four editions.
Match Summary Table
| Category | Details |
| Score | Mali 0 - 1 Senegal |
| Goal Scorer | Iliman Ndiaye (27') |
| Man of the Match | Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal) |
| Red Card | Yves Bissouma (Mali) - 45+3' |
| Venue | Grand Stade de Tanger, Morocco |
What’s Next for the Champions?
Senegal now waits for the winner of the blockbuster clash between Ivory Coast and Egypt to see who they will face in the semi-finals. With Iliman Ndiaye hitting peak form and the team showing defensive solidity, the defending champions are looking more like favorites with every passing minute.