Ghana made history by becoming the first nation to score at the ongoing African Cup of Nations holding in South Africa, matches played on Saturday 20th January all ended in goalless draws.
Despite registering its name in the AFCON 2013 annals, Ghana squandered a two goal lead to end the match in a stalemate.
The Black Stars drew the first blood from their opponent, the Democratic Republic of Congo, when Emmanuel Agyemang Badu slid home a Kwadwo Asamoah’s pass.
Skipper Asamoah Gyan made it two for the West African nation when he headed in the ball at the far post.
But the boys from Central Africa responded quickly with Tresor Mputu poking in the ball from inside the box.
DRC scored from the spot to make it two after Ghana’s Jerry Akaminkho dragged down Mbokani, who made the penalty look easy as he effortlessly slotted the ball into the corner, with the keeper diving the wrong way.
With many missed chances both teams deserved to win the thrilling encounter which didn’t go either way.
Meanwhile, in a second Group B match played also at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, Mali became the first team to break the draw jinx, as they recorded the first win of the tournament.
A late goal scored by Captain Seydou Keita, six minutes from time ensured that the Malians earned maximum three points at the expense of Niger .
The game lacked panache,but with the Malians having better ball possession,they probably deserved to win.