Mali, Egypt play to goalless stalemate

Mali and Egypt played to a goalless stalemate in their Africa Cup of Nations Group D clash in Port-Gentil on Tuesday night.

In a match featuring plenty of effort and endeavour, the defences enjoyed the ascendancy to ensure both teams finished with a share of the spoils and are tied for second place behind group leaders Ghana, who edged Uganda 1-0 in the earlier game.

Egypt settled quickly into a good passing rhythm and created the first half-chance on five minutes when striker Marwan Mohsen had a shot on the turn from a tight angle, but goalkeeper Oumar Sissoko made a comfortable save.

On 13 minutes Mali nearly claimed the lead when Moussa Marega’s in-swinging cross from the left flank was missed in the middle of the box and nearly snuck inside the far post, but goalkeeper Ahmed El Shenawy did enough to get across and palm the ball away.

In making the save, El Shenawy appeared to tweak a muscle at the back of his left leg and – after trying to play on