Mali have crashed out of the qualifying series for the 2014 Fifa World Cup after they drew 2-2 at home with Benin on Sunday.
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Algeria have gone through to the final round of the qualifiers courtesy of their 1-0 win Rwanda, also on Sunday.
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The North Africans won Group H on 12 points, while second-placed Mali are four points adrift with a game still to be played.
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Incidentally, the final game will be between Algeria and Mali in Algeria and even if the West Africans win, they will still fall short of reaching the next stage of the qualifying series.
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The Eagles of Mali, who finished third at both the 2012 and 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, therefore needed to beat Benin to keep their qualification hopes alive on Sunday.
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But instead they had to come from behind early on in this Group H game when Sunderland star, Stephane Sessegnon, put the visitors in front after just eight minutes.
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Mamadou Samassa drew Mali level on 15 minutes from the penalty spot, only for Benin to again take the lead through striker Razak Omotoyossi in the 32nd minute.
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Bordeaux striker Cheick Tidane Diabate, who enjoyed cup glory with his French club this past season, saved Mali their blushes in the 69th minute with the equalising goal.