Host nation Angola played an entertaining 4-4 draw against Mali at the Estadio 11 de Novembro in Luanda in front of 45,000 spectators.
African Football fanatics will never forget 10th January 2010 as 8 goals were scored in a single match in AFCON opening game.
Angola head coach Manuel Jose paraded Fernandes, Mabina, Kali, Rui Marques, Stelvio, Xara, Dede, Zuela, Gilberto, Flavio and Manucho in his first 11.
The head coach for Mali, Stephen Keshi selected Sidibe, Diamountene, Berthe, Tamboura, Soumare, Diarra, Traore, Traore, Bagayoko, Maiga and Kanoute.
It was a game full of actions as Falvio finished from six yards when a free-kick was whipped in giving Angola a 1-0 lead in the 37th minute. Flavio Amado doubled Angola’s lead as he headed Madina’s cross in the 42nd minute. Angola led 2-0 before halftime.
Gilberto scored Angola’s third in the 65th minute through a spot kick after Bagayoko brought down Gilberto.
Manucho added Angola’s 4th from the spot kick when Keita fouled Gilberto.
Mali were down by 4-0 after 73 minutes.
Many football fans thought it was all over for Mali but The Eagles motivated themselves and started the impossible journey.
Seydou Keita stabbed home in the six-yard box when the Angolan goalkeeper Fernandes calamitously dropped a cross. 4-1 to Angola in the 78th minute.
In the 88th minute, Kanoute planted a magnificent header after Tamboura had lofted the ball. 4-2 to Angola with two minutes to full-time.
Angola started crumbling as Seydou Keita took the ball on the volley and walloped it past Fernandes. 4-3 to Angola in the 93rd minute.
The unthinkable happened as Yattabare slammed a rebound in the 94th minute to level the score at 4-4.
Manuel Jose’s Angola rued the missed opportunity as they collapsed in the final twelve minutes to throw away the maximum 3 points.
Stephen Keshi and his Malian had a brilliant twelve minutes that will remain the best twelve minutes of Malian football.
There has never been any group-stage game at the AFCON that has been so exciting and entertaining like the 4-4 draw in the opening game of Angola 2010.
