Phats’oane officiates in a historic AFCON match

Top Lesotho assistant referee, Souru Phats’oane, officiated at second last 16 encounter match between Mali and Tunisia which was exhilarating, fraught with yellow and red cards and the first match at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to go for a penalty shootout. 

It was epic to witness Tunisia reliving the January 1977 encounter when it became the first nation to go for a penalty shootout in the World Cup qualifying match, with the difference being Mali instead of Morocco and the tournament being AFCON and not World Cup. Nevertheless the game was played in Morocco. 

Mali was reduced to ten men as early as in the 26th minute of the first half when their player, Woyo Coulibaly was sent off with a red card, forcing Mali to soldier on and limping with one man short but steadily fought hard, despite Tunisia in control of the ball possession exceeding 72%. 

Tunisia took the lead in the 88th minute through Firas Chaouat, who headed in a cross from Elias Saad.
But Mali responded quickly. In added time, Yassine Meriah conceded a penalty with a handball, and Lassine Sinayoko converted from the spot in the 90+6 minute to level the score.

South African referee, Abongile Tom assisted by his compatriot, Zakhele Siwela and Lesotho’s Souru Phats’oane took the game to extra time after the stalemate of 1-1. 

The extra time also ended with no change on the scoresheet, forcing Tom and his entourage of referees to take the game to the penalty shootout – the first ever since AFCON 2025 began in Morocco last month. 

Mali’s feisty goalkeeper, Djigui Diarra, became hero of the night and player of the match as he saved two lethal penalties, technically goading his nation to the quarterfinals of the tournament where they are going to face the mighty Senegal. 

The match ended 3-2 in the penalty shootout, with Mali through to the quarterfinals despite not having won any single game during the 90 minutes play at the ongoing AFCON tournament in Morocco.