CAN'2026 qualification: Cape Verde women's team lose at home to Mali (0-1)
The Cape Verdean women's national soccer team lost 0-1 to their Malian counterparts at the National Stadium today in the first leg of the second qualifying round for CAN 2026 in Morocco.
The winning goal for the Malians came in the 81st minute, from Aicha Samaké, who took advantage of an incomplete save by Cape Verdean goalkeeper Jacinta from a direct free kick on the edge of the area.
A goal much celebrated by the visiting team and felt by the home crowd, who responded in good numbers to the call in the middle of Friday afternoon.
The goal was a real "bucket of cold water" for the Creole team, who were hoping for a better result in a match that, let's face it, was played at a slow pace.
With this defeat, against a team with more international experience and competitive pace, the Cape Verdean national team will now have to turn the tables in the second qualifying round, scheduled for next Tuesday, the 20th, in Bamako, if they are to achieve the "dream" of qualifying for the final phase of the African Nations Championship.
Technical Sheet:
National Stadium, on an afternoon with good attendance and a blazing sun.
Constitution of the teams:
Cape Verde: Jacinta Rodrigues, Varsênia "Cap", Eleia, Maísa, Ivânia, Romina, Natasha, Leonilde, Eveline "Evy", Irlanda and Sandra.
Alternates: Kátia Duarte, Larissa, Kleydiana, Melany, Leidina and Luriane Afonso.
Selector: Silvéria Nédio (Nita).
Mali: Fatoumata Karentao, Coluba Sogoré, Kani Konte, Coumba Dembélé, Fatoumata Diara, Aicha Samaké, Yakaré Niakaté, Salimata Diarra, Aissata Traoré, Kadiatou Diabaté and Sarantou Traore.
Substitutes: Mariam Camara, Maimona Traoré, Oumou Koné, Karatoumo Keita, Agueissa Diara, Bintou Guindou and Bintou Koité.
Selector: Birama Konaté
Scorer: Aicha Samaké, 81st minute.
