Red Card, Red Tape: CAF Downgrades Haidara’s Ban Ahead of Mali-Tunisia Duel
3 January 2026
CAF softens Haidara ban before Mali-Tunisia showdown
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reduced the suspension of Amadou Haidara, Mali's midfielder, after his red card against Comoros in the final group stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Haidara was sent off in the 88th minute against Comoros, and the Mali Football Federation filed an appeal with CAF to review the punishment.
Originally suspended for two games, the sanction was reduced to one match, meaning he will miss the upcoming encounter with Tunisia.
Impact on the AFCON round of 16
The Mali and Tunisia teams were due to meet on Saturday in the round of 16, at Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca.
Earlier reports suggested that the referee of the Mali vs Comoros game, Chadian Mohamed Hajji, admitted a grave error in the red card decision against Haidara, and CAFs ruling was based on the referee's initiative.
Punchline 1: If red cards had a mortgage, Haidara would finally pay off after this downgrade—sniper-level budgeting at AFCON.
Punchline 2: And if drama counted as goals, this AFCON would already be a hat-trick—tune in, the bench just got a starring role.
