It was a drama at 11 November Stadium when we saw Mali making a history in African Football by fighting back to draw 4-4 with Angola in the opening game of the Africa Cup of Nations in Luanda on Sunday.

Flavio Amado separated the two sides with 2-0 up in the first half before penalties from Gilberto and Manucho which put the score sheet at four nil.

Angola dominated for most of the game but a double from Seydou Keita and a header from Frederic Kanoute and Mustapha Yattabare leveled the score sheet.

The game started with a minute of silence in memory of the victims from Togo national team who lost their lives after rebels attacked their bus.

In his remarks after the game Angola coach, Manuel Jose told media reporter that he was frustrated and that he feels that draw as a defeat.

Jose said: "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."

"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."

In his side Mali coach, Keshi, 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."

The wife of Angolan head of state Jose Eduardo dos Santos who was watching the game was happy when she saw her team dominating the game in the first half and that she jumped off her seat and execute a very un-First Lady style jig.

However, Malawi will be playing Algeria in Luanda on Monday at 13:45 GMT while Ivory Coast will be in Cambinda where they will take on Burkina Faso on the same day.