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Mali kickstarted their AFCON campaign with a 2-0 win against South Africa in what was a frenetic game in Group E
Fans at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium were treated to a phenomenal game of football as Mali beat South Africa 2-0 in the opening round of Group E games.
Both sides cem into this one with a unique opportunity to establish themselves early on after Namibia had shocked Tunisia earlier on in the same group and it was South Africa who started on the front foot.
Bafana Bafana had some joy down the left flank through Thapelo Maseko, and earned a penalty from the Supersport United man’s cross when Sikou Niakaté appeared to elbow Evidence Makgopa in the box.
The resulting penalty in the 19th minute was horribly skied well over the bar by South African winger and talisman Percy Tau to give Mali a get-out-of-jail-free card.
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South Africa continued to spurn clear-cut chances but it was Mali who almost scored before halftime following a horrible mix-up between Siyanda Xulu and Williams, but Lassine Sinayoko could not take advantage.
The Malians came out in the second half with a lot more determination to grab the game by the scruff of the neck which they did and were rewarded handsomely for their dominance.
Koïta’s free-kick hit the underside of the bar and skipper Hamari Traoré reacted quickest to prod the ball home to give Mali the lead after an hour of football.
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A second followed six minutes later courtesy of Sinayoko, who outmuscled Xulu and dispatched a clinical finish past Williams from Kamory Doumbia’s perfectly weighted through ball.
The result means Mali now top Group E on goal difference as they are currently tied on points with Namibia who also started with a win.
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