Mali beat Benin 1-0

Essipon (W/R) Jan. 21, GNA - Mali's striker Frederick Kanoute this evening scored the only goal in the second Group "B" match of the 26th edition of the MTN African Cup of Nations tournament played at Essipon, near Sekondi.

The goal, which was scored through a penalty kick in the 48th minute gave Mali three points and placed them at par with Cote d'Ivoire, who beat Nigeria with the same margin earlier in the day. The match was watched by a large number of both Malian and Benininoise fans.

Both teams displayed a high sense of professionalism and skill in all department of the game but both could not convert many scoring chances that came their way.

In the 57th minute Adam Coulibaly, a Malian defender received the first yellow card for rough play.

Individual efforts and skill of Razack Omotoyossi throughout the game attracted applause from the spectators but this could not be translated into goals.

The Malian defence pivoted around Mahamadou Diarra, mounted an iron defence to ensure that no attacker went through to create havoc during the 90 minutes.

Many of the fans expressed their frustration over the inability of Benin to equalise even though they played a brilliant game. y.