Ivory Coast captain Max Gradel scored a spectacular winner as the Elephants narrowly beat Equatorial Guinea 1-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations opener. Ex-Bournemouth and Leeds forward Gradel lashed the two-time champions ahead from 20 yards with the outside of his right foot just five minutes in.
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The Gambia enjoyed a dream Africa Cup of Nations debut by beating Mauritania 1-0 in Limbe to go joint-top of Group F. Ablie Jallow struck the winner after 10 minutes as he controlled Musa Barrow’s pass with one touch before scoring from 25 yards with his second.
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Mali beat Tunisia 1-0 at the Africa Cup of Nations in a Group F game which ended in controversy after the referee blew for full-time prematurely – twice. Carthage Eagles coach Mondher Kebaier and his technical staff raced on to the field to confront referee Janny Sikazwe after he ended the game a minute early. After Mali manager Mohamed Magassouba’s post-match press conference had started, tournament organisers ordered the game to be played to a conclusion.
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