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Hamari Traore and Lassine Sinayoko scored second-half goals to help Mali record to 2-0 win against South Africa in their AFCON 2023 opener.
South Africa winger Percy Tau missed a glorious opportunity to put South Africa ahead when he failed to convert his first-half penalty.
Mali then scored twice in six minutes in the second period to secure the massive victory.
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After captain Hamari Traore opened scoring, Sinayoko then extended the lead few minutes later.
Real Sociedad right-back Hamari scored a simple tap-in on the hour mark after Sekou Keita hit the bar with a brilliant curling free-kick.
Sinayoko outmuscled his marker while chasing a through ball before finishing expertly past South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
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Mali will now face Tunisia while Bafana Bafana meet Namibia. Tunisia lost 1-0 to Namibia. It was Namibia’s first AFCON win in history.
