AFCON: Mali opens campaign with stunning 2-0 victory over South Africa
Tuesday's 2-0 Africa Cup of Nations Group E triumph over South Africa came despite a missed penalty by South Africa thanks to goals from Hamari Traore and Lassine Sinayoko inside six minutes of the half's end.
In the first half at Korhogo, Percy Tau missed a spot kick that proved to be costly because the clinical Eagles never looked threatened after scoring twice.
After defeating Tunisia 1-0 in the opening game of a doubleheader, Namibia moved up to the top of the group on goal differential, with Mali taking the lead.
Having twice defeated them in the Cup of Nations quarterfinals, Mali is a dangerous team for South Africa.
In their 1972 debut, the Malians went all the way to the final of the African showpiece, only to lose 3-2 to Congo Brazzaville in Yaounde.
24 years later, South Africa made a stronger impression, defeating Tunisia 2-0 in the Johannesburg final, but in nine more attempts, they have failed to win the title.
Mali’s starting lineup had no players from their native country, but South Africa included nine, including seven players from Mamelodi Sundowns, one of the biggest teams in the country.
A highly anticipated confrontation got off to a rousing end-to-end start in front of a 20,000-capacity stadium built in the northern city for the Cup of Nations, which was mostly attended by Mali supporters.
Tau humiliation
On the 19th minute, Tau, who plays for the Egyptian and African powerhouse Al Ahly, wasted a big opportunity for South Africa to take the lead when he blasted a penalty over the crossbar.
When Aubrey Modiba entered the area and Sikou Niakate elbowed Evidence Makgopa, the referee used the VAR touchline monitor to determine the winner.
Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams nearly made South Africa pay for the missed spot-kick in first-half added time when he stopped Sinayoko.
Williams hurried off his line to redirect the ball away from danger after a few Bafana Bafana players failed to clear the ball, allowing Sinayoko to break free.
Amadou Haidara had just the goalie to beat when he blasted wildly off target from close range, costing Mali the lead shortly after the break.
But after a free kick, skipper Traore’s awareness allowed the Eagles to grab the lead at the halfway point.
Williams was beaten by a Sekou Koita set-piece, but it rebounded against the underside of the crossbar, and Traore was the first to move to push the ball into the net.
Six minutes later, Sinayoko showed off his physical prowess by shoving Siyanda Xulu aside and putting the ball in the net from close range, giving Mali a two goal lead.
Mali takes on Tunisia on Saturday, while Namibia plays South Africa on Sunday in the second round of Group E fixtures, which will both take place in Korhogo.