The African Cup of Nations returned to its normal order on Sunday with sunshine, empty stands, reckless yet eye-catching football and politics all thrown in.
Seydou Keita ensured Mali was the first team to win at the tournament then called attention to his conflict-torn country by wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with a slogan calling for peace.
Mali's 1-0 win over Niger through Keita's late goal ended a run of three straight draws to start the African Cup, although Ghana's 2-2 result against Congo in the other game was nothing like the drab scoreless encounters on the rain-dampened opening day.
Instead, title contender Ghana blew a 2-0 lead against a bold Congo team to open Group B in a pulsating flurry of attacking enthusiasm and defensive naivety from both teams.
Mali serves up 1st win; Ghana, Congo draw 2-2
