Mali's Stunning Comeback Opens Cup of Nations

A 95th minute goal from Mustapha Yatabaré brought Mali back from four goals down to draw Angola in the opening match of the 2010 African Cup of Nations.

Angola used the energy of a host's opening match plus poor play from the Mali defense to go up 4-0 after 74 minutes, but over the match's last sixteen minutes, the Malians would complete an unbelievable comeback that featured two stoppage time goals.

The Angolans would get two goals from striker Flávio and converted penalty-kicks from Gilberto and Manucho to put them far enough in front to eventually substitute-out all three of their goal scorers.

Seydou Keita's late goal ruined Carlos Fernandes's clean sheet, while a 88th minute header from Frederic Kanouté given Mali their second. Keita would add a third in stoppage time to create the first drama of the match, but it was Yatabaré would play hero, punching in a rebound spilled by Fernandes, giving Mali an improbable point.

Angola coach Manuel José implemented a strong tactical plan, relying on long balls played over Mali's talented midfield to directly attack the Malian defense.  Particularly on their left-side, Mali was weak, allowing Flávio to continuously go wide and win long passes played toward the corner flag.

Relaying on the long ball allowed Angola to play midfielder Gilberto deep and augment a Angola defense that had been suspect through second round World Cup qualifying.  Since then, José has been brought in as coach, a move with apparent effects on Sunday.

The host's early energy dominated the match's opening moments, but in the first half hour, the energy could not be converted to results.

However, in the 31st minute, the Antelopes gave the first hint of the dominance that was to come when Flávio - in possession in the middle of the pitch, twelve meters above the Mali penalty box - played the ball wide right for Mabiná, whose cross to the head of Djamla Campos (and early substitute) produced the first match's good scoring chance.  Only a good read and save from Mahamadou Sidibe kept Angola from opening the scoring.

Sidibe's read five minutes later, on Angola's first goal, was not as good.  After Manucho won a free kick to the right of goal, Gilberto put a perfect ball to the far post for Flávio.  The Angolan forward's header would have been difficult to stop regardless of the goalkeeper's positioning, but inexplicably near his right post - behind his wall - Sidibe gave Flávio an open goal.

The opening goal restored the match to its opening tempo, with Angola's energy dictating the match.  This time, that energy was converted into a goal.

In the 42nd minute, Mabiná was given no resistance to putting a ball in from the right, half-way into Mali's end.  Manucho running near post and Flávio in the middle split the defenders, with Mabiná's cross finding Flávio for a relatively easy goal.

Angola's 2-0 lead out of half was almost cut in half early in the second as Mali generated numerous, early opportunities, giving the impression that the Malians could get back into the match.

Mali mistakes in their own area kept them from doing so, yielding two penalty kicks that put the match away.  Both kicks were created by Gilberto, who forced Mamadou Bagayoko then Keita into fouls. Gilberto then Manucho converted the kicks to give the Antelopes a 4-0 lead.

When, five minutes later, Seydou Keita punched in Mali's first goal, it looked by consolation, nobody stopping to dwell on Fernandes's inability to swallow a ball that was kicked around his area for seconds before the FC Barcelona player's goal.

Nine minutes later, when Frederic Kanouté rocketed a 16-meter header past Fernandes, it was thought too late for Mali to complete their comeback.

Even when Keita got his second goal in the 92nd minute, the crowd's murmur hinted at innocent wonder more than legitimate concern.

But when Fernandes spilled another shot (in the 95th minutes) toward his far post, there was a feeling even before Yatabaré got to the ball that Mali was going to complete the miraculous.

As a result, Mali and the hosts each get one point - ultimately a decent, if disappointing, result for the hosts. Likewise for the Malians, getting a point against the hosts in the opening match can be seen as mission accomplished in what was a spectacular spectator's match to open the continent's championship.