Mali roared back from being 4-0 down in the 79th minute of the
opening African Cup of Nations match to earn a sensational 4-4 draw
with host Angola on Sunday.
Saudi Arabia-based striker Flavio put Angola in front with a
36th-minute diving header before doubling the lead in the Group A
game six minutes later with another header from defender Mabina's
cross.
Gilberto made it 3-0 with a 67th minute penalty before
Manucho converted another penalty seven minutes later for what
seemed an unassailable lead.
But substitute Seydou Keita started Mali's astonishing
comeback in the 79th minute, before Frederic Kanoute made it 4-2,
Keita got his second of the night in stoppage time and Mustapha
Yatabare grabbed the equalizer at the end.
"In my 42-year career as coach this is the first time
something like this has happened," Angola's Portuguese coach Manuel
Jose said. "We were supposed to win this game but we gave up at the
end."
Angola had started well and created several chances in the
opening 10 minutes, forcing Mali goalkeeper Mahamadou Sidibe to
twice deny Flavio's close range efforts.
Mabina, moving aggressively forward on the right flank, could
have set up Manucho for Angola's opener in the 33rd minute but the
former Manchester United forward could only manage a weak header
toward goal.
Modibo Maiga then wasted a set piece chance for Mali in the
26th, backheeling to the Angolan defense from the edge of the
penalty area.
Angola had an immediate response to the missed opportunity as
the unmarked Flavio's header looped into the top right corner from
close range. He then added his second, rising above the Mali
defense to send the drum-beating home crowd into frenzy.
Keita looked set to bring Mali back into the game after a
neat combination with Mahamadou Diarra in 50th minute but Angola
goalkeeper Carlos Fernandes kept out the Real Madrid midfielder's
shot.
Angola's dominance continued with Mamadou Bagayoko fouling
Gilberto in the area and the Al Ahly forward increasing his team's
lead from the penalty spot.
Manucho looked to have put the result beyond any possible
doubt with another penalty before Keita gave Mali hope with his
close-range strike.
Sevilla striker Kanoute headed Mali's second in the 88th
minute before further goals from Keita and Yatabare in stoppage
time completed Mali's amazing comeback.
"That is what happens if you lose your concentration,"
Gilberto said. "We were on top of our game but we just lost it
toward the end."
Algeria will play Malawi on Monday in the other Group A game
of a tournament that has been overshadowed by Friday's machine gun
attack on the Togo team bus which left three people dead.
The Togo squad flew out of Angola on Sunday night after the
country's president and its prime minister had called the team
home.
A minute's silence was observed before Sunday's match in
honor of those killed in the attack.
