On this day 10 January 2010(Exactly 9 years ago)
Mali pulled off a stunning fightback to draw 4-4 with Angola after trailing 4-0 with 11 minutes left in the opening game of the 27th Africa Cup of Nations.
The hosts went 2-0 up in the first half thanks to two headers from striker Flavio, while Gilberto and Manucho scored a penalty each to make it four.
But Mali grabbed one back when Seydou Keita stabbed home from close range.
Frederic Kanoute headed in a second before Keita and Mustapha Yatabare scored in injury time in Luanda.
The first ever match at the 11 November Stadium provided a thrilling start to a Nations Cup that had been overshadowed by gun attack on the Togolese team, who have been withdrawn by their government and flown home.
But the Palancas Negras’ late collapse will infuriate their Portuguese coach Manuel Jose, who saw his team throw away what seemed a certain three points.
“This draw tasted like a defeat to me, this is one of the most bitter pills I’ve ever had to swallow in all the matches of my long career,” said Jose.
We were supposed to win this game but we gave up at the end.
“Football in Africa is learning on the road, we have the skills but we were a little naive.
“It makes the next match a little more complicated. The public deserved a win.”
After an impeccably observed minute’s silence in memory of the victims of the attack on the Togo team, Angola dominated for most of the game.
For any team to not win when 4-0 up is a disgrace
Flavio put Angola in front with a diving header after 36 minutes and added a second six minutes later from close range off defender Mabina’s cross.
Mali conceded two spot kicks towards the end of the second half, coolly dispatched by Gilberto and former Manchester United and Hull striker Manucho.
Many home fans left the stadium early celebrating their team’s four-goal advantage, but the Angolan team became far too casual, and they gifted time and space to the Malians.
Former Barcelona midfielder Keita bundled home what looked to be merely a consolation following a goalmouth scramble 11 minutes from time.
But a previously anonymous Kanoute then added a second to give the Malians hope.
Keita and Yatabare then finished two more close-range efforts in injury time to secure an astonishing draw for Stephen Keshi’s team.
Keshi, who lifted the title with Nigeria as a player in the 1990s, said: “It was a little difficult to believe we might come back. I’ve got mixed feelings, I’m happy with a draw but upset with my team.”
Keita added: “I just couldn’t imagine we could fight back like that.
We were bad in the first half, mentally we weren’t really at the races.
“It’s good for us mentally, our confidence, but we have to be careful to not make too many mistakes. There is a lot to correct before the next match.”
On this day 10 January 1995 (Exactly 24 years ago ) Manchester United break the British transfer record to sign Andy Cole from Newcastle for seven million pounds. Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan takes to the steps of St James’ Park to address fans who are angry at the sale. Cole has an inconsistence form first season but does score five goals in one match as United beat Ipswich 9-0
On this day 10 January 2011(Exactly 8 years ago) Barcelona forward Lionel Messi won 2nd straight FIFA Ballon d’Or Award from team mates Andrés Iniesta & Xavi; Brazilian forward Marta won the women’s award for 5th consecutive year.
On this day 10 January 1985(Exactly 34 years ago) Lenny Wilkens became the first to coach in 1,000 NBA games when his Seattle SuperSonics defeated the Golden State Warriors, 89-86.
By George ‘Alan Green’ Mahamah
