Mali dropped crucial points in their quest to catch up with group leaders Ghana in the race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket following a 0-0 draw against Central African Republic on Monday.

Prior to the Group I fixture at the Stade Larbi Zaouli, the two teams had only met once in history; that match was in 2023 and the game ended in a 1-1 draw and just like now, that match was played in the World Cup qualifiers.

The match remained a balanced affair until the 12th minute when the first caution was registered. Gabriel Oualengbe of the Central African Republic was shown a yellow card by the referee for an infringement near the box after being adjudged to have tripped the advancing Basse-Zokana.

Eight minutes later, Mali came closer to open the scores when Cheick Konaté received a good ball while on the right flank after a superb team build up, but his decision to shoot with his left foot was not good enough as goalkeeper Geoffrey Lembet reacted quickly to keep out the danger.

A minute to the half-time break whistle, Mali wasted another open chance, Lassana Coulibaly’s intended cross being cleared by keeper Lembet, but the rebound fell to the legs of the unmarked Nene Dorgeles, who, instead, of putting the ball into an empty net, he sent his effort over the bar.

The second half started with Mali continuing to have better attacking intentions than their opponents but they were not able to make the dominance generate into goals. In the 54th minute, Dorgeles took a shot from the left side of the box, but the ball went low and could not trouble Lembet.

Three minutes later, Mali’s Konaté was denied by the woodwork, his curling effort, which was heading for the goal, hitting the left side of the post before rolling out for a goal-kick, and thus preventing the player, who turns out for French Ligue 2 club Clermont, from breaking the deadlock.

Central African Republic almost took a shock lead in the 69th minute, the first time in the match that there was an offensive attempt from the home team. Louis Mafouta saw the opportunity to shoot from half distance, but the ball went over the bar with goalkeeper Djigui Diarra on high alert.

The first substitution of the match went to the home team in the 70th minute, coach Eloge Enza Yamissi bringing in Bertillo Yangana-Ba-Komi to replace Gabriel Oualengbe before Wesley Ngakoutou was sent on in place of Kenny Beyissa.

As the game entered the final stretch, Mali coach Tom Saintfiet made a substitution, Mamadou Sangaré coming in for Lassana Coulibaly. Few minutes later, Central African’s Léonce Namgbema went into the referees’ book after being yellow carded following his refusal to leave on a stretcher after being treated on the pitch.

The draw left Mali third in the group with nine points, while Central African stayed fifth with five points. Ghana’s Black Stars remained top on 12 points, and could end the matchday six with 15 points if they manage to beat Madagascar in another group fixture at Al Hoceima Grand Stadium later on Monday.

Starting XI – Central African Republic: Geoffrey Lembet (PO), Oualengbe, Ndobé, Yamberé, Basse-Zokana, Namgbema, Guinari, Kondogbia, Koyalipou, Mafouta and Kima Beyissa.

Subs: Sacha M’Baka, Noah Ato-Zandanga, Moustapha Djimet, Samuel Nlend, Wesley Ngakoutou, Bertilio Yangana-Ba-Komi, Dominique Youfeigane, Donald Benamna, Enzo Grothe, Hugo Gambor, Mauril Abimala, Axel Urie.

Starting XI – Mali: D. Diarra (PO), C. Konaté, A. Diaby, S. Niakaté, M. Diarra, L. Coulibaly, A. Dieng, Y. Bissouma, K. Doumbia, E. B. Touré and N. Dorgeles.

Subs: 1. Ismael Diawara, 22. Youssouf Koita, 3. Amadou Dante, 21. Salim Diakité. 15. Mamadou Fofana, 12. Mohamed Camara, 17. Mamadou Camara, 4. Mamadou Sangare, 19. Ibrahima Sissoko, 20. Sekou Koita, 14. Youssouf Niakate, 25. Mustapha Sangaré.