Sidibe Abdoulaye put the hosts in front seven minutes before the break when Hodoud keeper Mathurin Kameni failed to deal with his weak shot from inside the area.

A defensive lapse allowed Bagayoko Ousmane to double the Malian side's advantage on 73 minutes.

Hodoud pushed forward to narrow the gap but barely created clear-cut opportunities. Their only chance fell to striker Ahmed Salama, who saw his header denied by the post.

Egyptian Cup holders Hodoud have four points from as many games, four behind leaders Stade Malien and three adrift of Angola's Primeiro de Agosto with two matches remaining.

Only the group winners and runners-up will reach the semi final of Africa's secondary competition.