Flood light fails as Mali beat Benin

The second group B match on Monday between Mali and Benin was almost marred by floodlight failure that occurred just as the teams were about to kick off.

A few minutes after the brass band played the national anthems of both sides, total darkness overwhelmed the stadium causing boos and whistles from the spectators at the stadium while the players on the pitch waited patiently for the lights to come on.

After about fifteen minutes the floodlights were restored and the game kicked off.

On the pitch it was the Malians that dominated play but failed to score in the first 45 minutes.

From the 12th minute when Sevilla player, Freddie Kanoute tried to volley the ball from the edge of the 18 yard box after first controlling with his chest but it ricochet off a Benenoise defender and the rebound fell at the feet of Seydou Keita but his low drive missed the goal by inches.

Benin had their moments too and their first came just one minute later when Oumar Tchomogo’s header off a pull out beat on rushing goalkeeper Mahamadou Sidibe but also when too high.

Thirty minutes on the clock and Bassala Toure tried a mazy run on the right and crossed the ball well to Dramane Traore who had all the time but he shot wide.

Razak Omotoyossi and Oumar Tchomogo gave the Malians cause for worry but it was either they were selfish or poor marksmanship ruined them up front.

Shortly after the restart Freddie Kanoute converted a penalty for the only goal of the match but it was Benin that seemed the more forceful side in the later stages.

With seven minutes left to play Razak Omotoyousi’s sitter was saved by the keeper but to the feet of Stephane Sessegnon who missed the mark with the keeper clearly out of the way.

One minute later Sessegnon got to the end of a goal mouth melee but his effort was saved by the keeper.