A clinical Mali side showed their quality by defeating South Africa 2-0 in the opening match of Group E at the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday.
Second half goals from Hamari Traore and Lassine Sinayoko secured a comfortable victory for the Malians at Stade de Korhogo.
That was after Percy Tau missed the penalty in the 19th minutes.
The Al Ahly, blazed a penalty over the crossbar to his huge embarrassment.
Mali went ahead on 60 minutes when captain Traore pounced on the rebound after Sekou Koita’s free kick struck the underside of the crossbar.
Traore reacted quickest to stab home at the back post and give Mali the lead.
Just six minutes later it was 2-0. Sinayoko demonstrated his strength to brush off defender Siyanda Xulu before slotting past Ronwen Williams to put the result beyond doubt.
It was no less than Mali deserved after controlling proceedings for most of the match and carving out the better openings. South Africa will look back ruefully on Percy Tau’s missed penalty in the first half as the turning point.
The opening exchanges were lively as both teams pressed for an early advantage. South Africa were gifted a golden chance when Tau’s spot kick was saved by Yehvann Diouf after Sikou Niakate had elbowed Evidence Makgopa in the area. Tau could only blaze over the bar.
It was awarded after the referee went to the VAR touchline monitor and saw Sikou Niakate elbow Evidence Makgopa after Aubrey Modiba crossed into the area.
Mali almost made South Africa pay just before half time when Sinayoko raced through on goal, only to be denied by a reflex save from Williams.
The pressure told in the second period as Traore and Sinayoko delivered the goals to sink South Africa’s hopes. Mali’s European-based stars ran the show while South Africa’s domestic-heavy squad struggled.
The win sees Mali top Group E on goal difference after Namibia’s shock 1-0 win over Tunisia. South Africa faces a tough task to qualify now as they prepare to take on Namibia next.
