In our AFCON exploits section, in the run-up to the Ivorian edition, Sport News Africa looks back at the opening match of the 2010 memorial. A match that will forever be engraved in the memory of world sport, for its scenario. Mali overcame a 4-goal deficit against hosts Angola in just 15 minutes.
Background to the Angola-Mali match
Sunday January 10, 2010, Luanda, Stade du 11 septembre, in front of 50,000 spectators, the opening match of the 27th AFCON. Host nation Angola, with their Flavio-Maniche duo, take on Mali and their constellation of stars. It is also the confrontation between an Angola team in constant progression. This was undoubtedly one of the reasons why the Angolans applied to host the competition. The team's recent CV includes qualification for the AFCON in 2006 (eliminated in the 1st round) and the World Cup in the same year (eliminated in the 1st round, with 1 defeat (1-0) against Portugal, and 2 draws against Mexico and Iran). This was followed by the CAN 2008, with an encouraging elimination against Egypt (2-1).
Mali, on their part, were a team coming off two semi-finals in 2002 and 2004, an unsuccessful AFCON in 2006 and a 1st-round elimination in 2008. Mali were therefore out for revenge, and above all armed with one of the best squads (complete on all lines) in Africa, and perhaps even in the world. A match that promised sparks, with the Palancas Negras, Africa's rising team (Angola) and Mali (one of the tournament's favourites).
The match was the talk of the town, overtaking the unfortunate episode of the terrorist attack on the Togolese players who withdrew from the Cabinda enclave.
Angola stroll past Mali to lead 4-0 in the 78th minute
Mali were unrecognizable for 78 minutes. The Eagles are trailing (4-0) to AFCON hosts Angola in their opening match. With each goal scored (Flavio 37th, 42nd, Gilberto 66th and Manucho 74th), the faces of Mali's stars (Seydou Keita, who used to play for Barcelona, Mahamadou Diarra for Real, etc.) showed their disbelief at this scenario. They're in the middle of a nightmare and just when you thought the match was over, one of the most improbable scenarios you've ever seen at an AFCON kicks off.
Reactionary Mali, led by Keita, claw back a 4-goal deficit
Mali began a remarkable comeback in the 79th minute, 11 minutes before the final whistle (plus stoppage time).Seydou Keita, who came on at the start of the second half, started the revolt by scoring the goal that gave them hope (79th). Unfortunately, the goals didn't follow. Both Malian and Angolan fans thought the game was over. Frederic Kanouté unenthusiastically scored the 4-2 winner in the 88th minute.
In added time (90th + 3), Seydou Keita scored a 3rd goal which instilled hope in the Malians and fear in the Angolan players, who had gone limp. And just as the Palancas Negras fans had feared, Mali equalised a minute later (94th) through Mustapha Yatabaré, to the astonishment of the crowd, the Angolan bench and the players on the pitch, who were bewildered and distraught. Mali, coached by Nigeria's Stephen Keshi, could even have won the match, as they created one last clear-cut chance, only to miss it by the narrowest of margins.
It was the first time in the history of soccer that a team trailing 4-0 in an international competition rallied within 15 minutes.
Mali, with its 2 faces, obtained an unhoped-for, historic draw.Angola, impressive for 80 minutes, spoiled the party at home with this cruel scenario. Simply memorable!
Angola finished the group phase at the top of their group with 5 points, with a result against Mali, a win against Malawi (2-0) and another draw with Algeria (0-0). Unfortunately, they lost to Ghana in the quarter-finals (0-1).
Mali, after drawing with the host nation, lost to Algeria (0-1), then finished with a victory over Malawi (3-1).With 4 points tied with Algeria, Mali exits the tournament. The result of the direct confrontation with the Fennecs cost them their place in the quarters. Yet another disappointment for this generation!
The 2010 AFCON was won by Egypt, who outclassed Ghana in the final (1-0) thanks to an 85th-minute goal from Gedo. It was the 3rd straight victory for Hassan Shehata's Pharaohs.
🇦🇴🇲🇱 Qui se rappelle de cet incroyable Angola vs Mali à la CAN 2010 ? #SNA pic.twitter.com/nb9JO45mwO
— Sport News Africa (@snewsafrica) April 7, 2023
