Mali captain Seydou Keita pounced on a goalkeeper mistake in the 84th minute to finally break down Niger and give his team a 1-0 win at the African Cup of Nations on Sunday.
Keita pounced after Kassaly Daouda spilled a cross in the midst of a bunch of players and side-footed in for the late winner in Group B.
Niger was resilient, but Mali had earlier chances to win as Keita's fierce drive in the 54th was just saved by Daouda and he then hit the crossbar in the 77th _ this time with Niger's goalkeeper beaten.
Between Keita's chances, substitute Mahamadou Samassa broke open the Niger defense with his trickery and thudded a shot into the side netting. Mahamane Traore missed with a header before Keita got his goal.
