A late Seydou Keita goal saved host nation Mali from defeat in the 1-1 draw with Liberia in the opening match of the African Nations Cup finals in Bamako.
The Malian fans were starting to leave the stadium when Keita controlled the ball on his chest and fired home a beautiful shot.
Liberia had silenced the crowd in the first-half with a header by George Weah from a corner.
But it was a match that failed to live up to the massive spectacle of the opening ceremony and the colour and flair of the Mali fans.
Mali`s youthful spark was constantly stamped on by the defensive tactics of Liberia`s aging side.
Liberia hardly invaded the Malian defence for
long periods, only ever really coming close through Frank Seator.
Mali`s coach Henri Kasperczak said his players had misunderstood his plans.
"My boys were under pressure and the tactics we used were not too good," he admitted.
"I also think they were trying to impress the crowd. And again our passes were not as incisive and penetrative as they should be."
Liberian midfielder Kelvin Segbwe said he was unhappy with the result.
"It is disappointing because I think we lost three points rather than being happy with the draw," he said.
"Mali didn`t deserve to draw. There equaliser was due to a mistake. We should have won."
