Mali went in advance after seventy nine mins in Limbe when Ibrahima Kone scored from any other penalty, both of which had been presented after the Moroccan referee watched replays on a VAR screen.
The draw keeps Gambia and Mali level at the pinnacle of Group F with four points every. Pointless aspects Tunisia and Mauritania meet afterward Sunday and a win for both united states of america will deliver them into competition.
Group winners and runners-up after 3 matchdays qualify for the round of 16 along side the first-rate 4 1/3-positioned sides.
Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma, who came off the bench in a matchday 1 win over Tunisia, become promoted to the beginning line-up by Mali instruct Mohamed Magassouba.
The other Premier League player within the Mali group, Southampton winger Moussa Djenepo, retained his area because the west African state sought a ninth win in 19 matches in all competitions in opposition to Gambia.
In 32 tiers Celsius early afternoon heat and 75 percentage humidity on the 20,000-seat Stade Omnisport it changed into no marvel that the in shape began at a slow tempo.
Mali had been greater incredible within the early exchanges with Bissouma firing a free-kick huge and Djenepo having a header saved by way of Modou Jobe, who plays inside the South African 2nd division.
After being at the again foot for 20 mins, Gambia have been offered a 35-metre free-kick and Musa Barrow unleashed a thunderbolt that rattled the crossbar.
After two cooling breaks within eight mins to enable the gamers to drink water, the woodwork got here to the rescue of Mali once more.
This time Ablie Jallow turned into the unfortunate Gambian as his angled shot rebounded off a submit to the relief of Mali goalkeeper Ibrahim Mounkoro.
