As the African Cup of Nations continued at a pace, and more countries can see themselves as ‘equal’ to their peers on the continent, Burkina Faso, Namibia and Mali made their announcements with tight victories over Mauritania, Tunisia and South Africa (respectively).
Bertrand Traore (pic) scored a 96th-minute penalty to see Burkina Faso narrowly beat Mauritania in their Africa Cup of Nations opener in Group D, whilst Deon Hotto's 88th-minute header secured Namibia’s win over Tunisia. In an intriguing Group E clash, where Mali faced South Africa, strikes by Hamari Traore and Lassine Sinayoko saw the west African republic overcome a lack-lustre Bafana Bafana – whose Percy Tau saw his penalty go over the bar in the first half.
No such problems from 12-yards out for substitute Traore, who sent Mauritania keeper Babacar Niasse the wrong way from the spot after Nouh Mohamed El Abd fouled Issa Kabore in the penalty area. For Namibia, they returned to Afcon after failing to qualify in 2019 pitted them against a side whose 16th successive appearance is a tournament record, reaching the quarter-finals in three of the last four editions and finishing fourth in 2019.
And, in a very upbeat Mali, they’ve won all three Afcon games they have played in against South Africa - after previous victories at the 2002 and 2013 editions. The Brave Warriors coach Colin Benjamin will have a lot of knowledge on Bafana Bafana as no less than ten out of Tunisia’s 23-man Afcon squad plays their football in the country.
