Namibia booked a first ever appearance in the last 16 of the African Cup of Nations by holding a Mali side who topped Group E by virtue of the point.
The draw puts Namibia, who came closest to scoring when Prins Tjiueza hit the post, through as one of the group stage’s four best third-placed teams.
The Brave Warriors will take on Group D winners Angola in the first knock-out round while Mali face Burkina Faso.
The result kept host nation Ivory Coast sweating over their progression hopes.
The Elephants, who finished third in Group A, are left relying on results in Group F later on Wednesday to determine whether they will qualify or face an embarrassing early exit.
Mali negotiated the group stage unbeaten, with South Africa’s 0-0 draw with Tunisia in the group’s other final game ensuring the Eagles claimed top spot.
Namibia, meanwhile, survived a late onslaught from the West Africans to emulate fellow minnows Mauritania’s achievement of reaching the knock-out stages for the first time.
Their game with Angola will kick off the last 16 on Saturday in Bouake while Mali meet Burkina Faso in Korhogo on Tuesday (both matches 17:00 GMT).
More to follow.
Line-ups
Namibia
Formation 4-1-4-1
- 1Kazapua
- 20Kamberipa
- 12Amutenya
- 21Haukongo
- 4Hanamub
- 18Petrus
- 9MuzeuSubstituted forIimbondiat 74′minutes
- 10TjiuezaSubstituted forPapamaat 79′minutes
- 6KatuaSubstituted forHambiraat 89′minutes
- 7HottoBooked at 45mins
- 13ShalulileSubstituted forHaosebat 90′minutes
Substitutes
- 2Haoseb
- 3Gebhardt
- 5Hambira
- 8Kambato
- 11Iimbondi
- 14Kamatuka
- 15Papama
- 16Ndisiro
- 17Rudath
- 19Shitembi
- 23Maova
Mali
Formation 4-4-2
- 16Diarra
- 2Traoré
- 5Kouyaté
- 6Niakaté
- 13DiarraSubstituted forDantéat 68′minutes
- 19DiabatéSubstituted forTraoréat 81′minutes
- 23DiengSubstituted forCamaraat 68′minutes
- 10Bissouma
- 27Dorgeles
- 18NiakatéSubstituted forDoumbiaat 53′minutes
- 25SinayokoSubstituted forSissokoat 52′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Diawara
- 3Danté
- 8Samassékou
- 9Sissoko
- 11Coulibaly
- 12Camara
- 15Fofana
- 17Sacko
- 20Koïta
- 21Traoré
- 22Doumbia
- 26Doumbia
Live Text
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Match ends, Namibia 0, Mali 0.
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Second Half ends, Namibia 0, Mali 0.
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Corner, Mali. Conceded by Charles Hambira.
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Corner, Namibia. Conceded by Adama Traoré.
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Substitution, Namibia. Denzil Haoseb replaces Peter Shalulile.
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Substitution, Namibia. Charles Hambira replaces Ngero Katua.
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Delay in match because of an injury Lloyd Kazapua (Namibia).
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Attempt blocked. Adama Traoré (Mali) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Mohamed Camara (Mali) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Ngero Katua (Namibia).
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Attempt blocked. Mohamed Camara (Mali) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Nene Dorgeles.
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Attempt missed. Yves Bissouma (Mali) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Adama Traoré with a cross following a corner.
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Corner, Mali. Conceded by Lloyd Kazapua.
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Attempt saved. Amadou Danté (Mali) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
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Kamory Doumbia (Mali) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Aprocius Petrus (Namibia).
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Attempt blocked. Hamari Traoré (Mali) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Mohamed Camara.
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Substitution, Mali. Adama Traoré replaces Fousseni Diabaté.
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Substitution, Namibia. Marcell Papama replaces Prins Tjiueza.
