Tunisia beat 10-man Mali  at Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako on Friday evening to step closer to the 2022 World Cup qualification.

Defender Muossa Sissako’s own goal gifted the visitors the lead with nine minutes to break.

Four minutes later, things turned from bad to worse for Sissako who was sent off after receiving a red card.

Mali are bidding for their first ever World Cup appearance whereas Tunisia have been to the tournament a couple of occasions.

Tunisia host Mali on March 29 in the reverse fixture and the overall winner between the two legs will be among five teams from Africa to qualify for the World Cup finals.

Starting Line-Ups:

Mali: Mounkoro, Diaby, Kone, M. Haidara, A. Haidara, Traore, Kouyate, Bissouma, Doucoure, Dorgeres, Kone

Tunisia: Ben Said, Drager, Ghandri, Talbi, Maalouli, Laoudini, Chalali, Ben Romdhane, Sliti, Jaziri, Msakni,