After playing an instrumental role in Mali’s 2-1 win over Burkina Faso in the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 clash, Lassine Sinayoko says there is still a lot of work to do.
Despite being thrilled by the result, the forward who plies his trade in France hailed his sides’ resilient showing against their neighbours, but cautioned that there was still a lot of work to be done as the next matches will be even tougher.
“It was a really tough match against a good side. We had to work extra hard, but I am glad we eventually got the result. We can celebrate this victory knowing that there is still a lot of work ahead,” Sinayoko told The Star.
The Eagles face hosts Cote d’Ivoire in the quarter-finals in Bouake on Saturday in what promises to be another action-packed knockout fixture.
Meanwhile, Achraf Hakimi missed a late chance to equalise from the penalty spot as South Africa shocked 10-man Morocco to set up a quarter-final against Cape Verde.
Evidence Makgopa produced a neat finish to score the opener in the 57th minute, surviving a lengthy Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check for offside and putting Bafana Bafana on their way to a surprise victory over the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists.
Hakimi was afforded a golden opportunity to level when Mothobi Mvala was adjudged to have handled Ayoub El Kaabi’s shot, only to fire his 85th minute spot-kick against the crossbar.
Manchester United midfielder Sofyan Amrabat was dismissed in stoppage time before Teboho Mokoena curled a classy free-kick past Bono to confirm the upset in style.
The 1996 champions will now aim to improve upon their quarter-final exit on their most recent appearance at the finals in 2019, when they take on the unbeaten Blue Sharks on Saturday for a place in the last four.
Morocco are Africa’s top-ranked side but will have to wait until they host the 2025 edition of Afcon to end their long wait for a second continental title, which stretches all the way back to 1976.