Mali, Namibia and Burkina Faso open Cup of Nations accounts with victories

Mali and Namibia claimed the early bragging rights in Group E on Tuesday night following victories over South Africa and Tunisia respectively in Korhogo.

Deon Hotto (left) scored Namibia's winner against Tunisia to give the southern Africans a first win at the Cup of Nations tournament during their fourth visit to the competition. REUTERS - LUC GNAGO

Hamari Traoré and Lassine Sinayoko scored in a six-minute goal flurry for Mali at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium to dishearten South Africa who had squandered a chance to take the lead in the first-half when Percy Tau missed a penalty.

Their 2-0 success took them top of the pool on goal difference after Namibia shocked Tunisia with a late strike.

Deon Hotto headed Bethuel Muzeu's cross from the left wing powerfully past the Tunisia goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said in the 87th minute to set up a grandstand finish as Tunisia swept forward in search of a leveller during the seven minutes of stoppage time.

Strong

Namibia's rearguard held firm against Africa's third highest ranked side to enable a team from the country to register a first win at the Cup of Nations in four visits to the tournament. 

"This is a massive achievement for us," said Namibia coach Collin Benjamin. "Nobody gave us a chance. This is for a country that really needs a lift."

A draw from one of their next two matches against South Africa and Mali should be enough to send Namibia into the last-16 knockout stages as one of the four best third-placed teams.

"We are not in a position to talk big before the match," Benjamin added. "When everybody calls us underdogs, we can only do our talking on the pitch." 

Late

In Bouaké, Burkina Faso skipper Bertrand Traoré scored a penalty in second- half stoppage-time to give his side a 1-0 win over Mauritania in Bouaké

Burkina Faso goalkeeper Herve Koffi pulled off a string of saves at the Stade de la Paix to keep his team in the game and his efforts were rewarded when Mauritania skipper Nouh El Abd felled Issa Kaboré in the penalty area.

Traoré, who entered the fray in the 73rd minute, struck his shot high to the right of goalkeeper Babacar Niasse who had plunged to his left.

The victory took Burkina Faso top of Group D following the 1-1 stalemate between Algeria and Angola on Monday night.

"I simply put myself at the disposal of the team," said Burkina Faso midfielder Blati Touré who was deemed man-of-the-match.

"I am very happy with the victory, it wasn't easy. We've played against Mauritania several times now. They're a very good team. They were well organised."