This was the day that the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations needed. With a desperately poor start to the proceedings that ‘featured’ a brace of scoreless Group A matches on Saturday, fans were hoping for goals -- and some genuine entertainment in the process. We got it from Group B.
Africa Cup of Nations, Day 2: Mali win; Ghana and DRC share spoils
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Ghana 2-2 Democratic Republic of the Congo
Ghana versus the Democratic Republic of the Congo was a match tilted in favour of the Black Stars, and despite some early pressure it looked as though the favourites would cruise through. Goals on either side of halftime -- a scrambled finish from Emmanuel Badu Agyemang and a header by Kwadwo Asamoah -- gave Ghana a 2-0 lead and it didn't really look as though they were going to relinquish it.
Then (surprise!) they did. A nonchalant finish by Tresor Mputu after a fantastic through ball from Cedric Makiadi brought the DRC back into the game with 53 minutes gone, and the managed to draw level after Jerry Akaminko brought down Deiudonne Mbokani in the box 15 minutes later, with Mbokani dusting himself off to slot the penalty beyond Fatau Dauda.
Did the DRC’s players celebrate? Boy did they ever!
via @bubbaprog
Ultimately, both sides ended up settling for a point with a 2-2 draw, but the Diables Rouges will be by far the happier side after their stirring comeback.
Mali 1-0 Niger
With the tournament starting with three consecutive draws, we finally got a victory when Mali edged past NIger in a match that was far tougher than anticipated. Heavy favourites, Mali found the Menas an extremely difficult nut to crack, and the closest either side came to a goal in the first 80 minutes was when a long-range effort from Seydou Keita was well saved by Kassaly Daouda.
The ex-Barca man was finally able to break the deadlock when his shot hit the post and he was able to fire home the rebound past the helpless goalkeeper to earn Mali a vital three points.
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