Mali this evening followed two three other favourites, Cameroon, South Africa and 2013 finalists Burkina Faso, to crash out of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations holding in Equatorial Guinea. While Cameroon, South Africa and Burkina Faso outrightly failed to scale through the first round of the tournament concluded yesterday, Mali, who finished level on points (3 points apiece), with identical goal difference (goal scored and goals against), lost out following the drawing of lots held today at 16H00 at the lounge of the Hilton Malabo.

After wishing ‘good luck’ to the representatives of the two teams, CAF President Issa Hayatou passed on the duties to CAF General Secretary, Hicham El Amrani who wrote the number 2 and 3 on two green balls, 2 for second position and 3 for third place.

The General Secretary then stirred the two balls in a wide bowl and called on the two representatives who had the difficult task of placing their hands into the bowl to pick up the ball of their choice.

Amara Dabo, from the Finance Division of the Guinea Ministry of Sports picked the ball numbered ‘2’ and Boubacar Diarra, president of the Mali Football Federation was the loser after picking out ball number ‘3.’

The basis for the draw is explained in Article 74 of the regulations of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations Equatorial Guinea 2015.

Below are the quarter final pairings:

Saturday, January 31, 2015

Congo Vs RD Congo 17:00

Tunisia Vs Equatorial Guinea 20:30

Sunday, February 01, 2015

Ghana Vs Guinea 17:00

Cote d’Ivoire Vs Algeria 20:30

•Photo shows 2915 AFCON action.