Mali 1-0 Benin:  Frederic Kanoute scored with a penalty as Mali laboured to a 1-0 victory against Benin in the African Nations Cup tonight.

The Sevilla striker was brought down by defender Alain Gaspoz and converted the penalty on 49 minutes in a Group B game that started 12 minutes later due to a power failure at Sekondi's brand new stadium.
   
Mali's Eagles share the lead in Group B with Ivory Coast after Salomon Kalou gave the Elephants a 1-0 win against Nigeria earlier today.
   
The Squirrels banked on solid defending to reach the interval safely, while Mali enjoyed most of the possession but failed to trouble their opponents, with Kanoute cut off from the rest of his team up front.
   
However, Benin's hopes of earning their first point in their second appearance in the tournament were squashed four minutes into the second half with the penalty.
   
Benin coach Reinhard Fabisch added fresh blood to his front line by replacing Jocelyn Ahoueya with Wassiou Oladipikpo eight minutes from time and Stephane Sessegnon, who had come on for Jonas Oketola, blew two clear chances from close range in the dying minutes.
   
Floodlights failed minutes before kickoff as dignitaries led by Ghana vice-president Aliu Mahama were greeting the players.
   
The two teams completed their pre-match formalities in the dark and the match finally got under way 12 minutes late when the lights came back on.