Liverpool, the night in Istanbul was great, but Mali has one-upped you with 4 goals in 16 minutes against Angola

While drama fills the headlines from off the field, a brilliant opening match between hosts Angola and Mali showed just how exciting African football can be.

Angola were denied victory by an incredible Mali comeback to force a 4-4 draw in the opening match of the troubled Africa Cup of Nations in Luanda on Sunday.

Angola appeared to be cruising towards an emphatic victory when they were leading 4-0 with only 16 minutes remaining before Mali produced one of the most breathtaking comebacks in the history of football.

The dramatic opening game went ahead against the tragic backdrop of the attack on the Togo team bus on Friday. [A Football Report]

The hosts went ahead in the 37th minute when Saudi Arabia-based striker Flavio Amado scored with a diving header and he doubled the advantage five minutes later with another header from defender Mabina’s cross.

Gilberto then made it 3-0 with a 67th minute penalty before Manucho converted another penalty seven minutes later.

Barcelona’s Seydou Keita with a double, a brilliant Frederic Kanoute header and finally, deep into injury time, the equalizer from substitute Mustapha Yatabare completed the great escape.

Surely Angola doesn’t want anymore bad news, and they’ll be devastated by this result. That being said, my hat goes off to Mali!

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