Perfect start after painful build-up

I have always said one of the reasons we love football so much is that it is unpredictable, it's excitement level is second to none and in the opening game of the 27th African Cup of Nations which kicked off on Sunday we got that. Eight goals in the opening game of tournament is the best way to start and after the unfortunate incident involving Togo that preceded the tournament, the hosts and Mali served up a game that should turn the attention back to the football.

My heart goes out to the families of those killed in that incident which was another huge dent on the reputation of football and in addition on the reputation of the continent but the colourful opening ceremony and opening game served as a timely reminder of all that is good about African football and it's thrills. As I watched Angola take a 4-0 lead, I never believed at any point Mali could come back with eleven minutes remaining. But with every goal they scored their belief grew, their game got better and with the quality that they have all over the field they were rewarded for their endurance. Football sometimes is like the wind. When it blows in your direction you can do no wrong but when it swings against you, your world seems to stop and both teams had to endure that. For much of the game though they were slow and their defending was really poor. It will leave Stephen Keshie who is their coach with a lot of work to do. I would imagine the Angola coach Manuel Jose will be very furious with the team. My hope is that this is a good sign of things to come. Mali and Angola did not lay the marker in the exact sense of the word because both sides defended poorly but they have set a bar in excitement level and the other teams will be keen to improve or match that.

I think it will be a great African Cup of Nations but I am waiting to see the likes of Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Egypt, Cameroon and of course Ghana to make up my mind about who the favourites are.

On a personal level I have two sons in the Ghana team which will make this tournament a bit more special for me. I will be watching those games with a lot more interest but I am not going to have a phone by my side ringing and berating them after every game for mistakes. I have already told them to get to play in the African Cup is a unique opportunity and that they should make the most of it. That applies to every single player at the tournament.

Abedi Pele, Standard Bank Football Ambassador

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