Match ends, Guinea 1, Malawi 0.
GuineaGuinea1MalawiMalawi0
Guinea opened their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 1-0 win over a spirited Malawi side.
The only goal came when left-back Issiaga Sylla slotted in 10 minutes before the break after good hold-up play by striker Jose Kante.
Yet the West Africans had keeper Aly Keita to thank for a string of saves in their Group B encounter in Bafoussam.
He pushed over three long-range strikes in the first half and later bravely dived at the feet of Yamikani Chester.
Guinea, captained by Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita, join Senegal at the top of the group on three points after the Teranga Lions beat Zimbabwe earlier on Monday.
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Malawi unable to find way past Keita
Malawi, appearing at their first Nations Cup since 2010, were composed on the ball and had a glorious chance to take the lead from a one-on-one but striker Chester scuffed his shot straight at Keita.
Guinea then saw defender Ibrahima Sory Conte head against the upright before Sylla broke the deadlock.
Keeper Keita had to be alert to keep out Micium Mhone's 30-yard drive, Limbikani Mvaza's 35-yard free-kick and Peter Banda's curling effort from outside the box before Malawi's Ernest Kakhobwe made a smart double-save to deny Aguibou Camara at the end of the first half.
After Chester was denied again just before the hour mark, Flames forward Khuda Muyaba sent another good opportunity straight at Keita.
Both sides were without players because of positive Covid-19 tests, but Malawi were only able to name four substitutes and have called up several reserve players to bolster their squad.
Tournament rules state sides must play if they have 11 fit players - even if they have no recognised goalkeeper.
Guinea face 2019 runners-up Senegal and Malawi take on Zimbabwe on Friday.
Line-ups
Guinea
Formation 5-3-2
- 1Keita
- 19Kané
- 5SowSubstituted forKantéat 71'minutes
- 13Camara
- 4ContéBooked at 74mins
- 3Sylla
- 23CamaraSubstituted forCisséat 45'minutes
- 6Diawara
- 8Keïta
- 9KantéSubstituted forDialloat 71'minutes
- 11BayoSubstituted forKabaat 88'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Cissé
- 14Kourouma Kourouma
- 16Camara
- 17Kanté
- 20Konaté
- 21Kaba
- 22Koné
- 25Diallo
- 27Siby
Malawi
Formation 3-4-1-2
- 16Kakhobwe
- 21Chirwa
- 19Mzava
- 5Chembezi
- 7Mhone
- 17Banda
- 8IdanaBooked at 81mins
- 10Madinga
- 13BandaSubstituted forKalimaat 80'minutes
- 22Muyaba
- 20ChesterSubstituted forMbuluat 65'minutesBooked at 83mins
Substitutes
- 1Thomu
- 9Mbulu
- 18Kalima
- 23Thole
- Referee:
- Daniel Laryea Nii Ayi
Match Stats
Home TeamGuineaAway TeamMalawi
- Possession
- Home65%
- Away35%
- Shots
- Home13
- Away10
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away6
- Corners
- Home8
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home11
- Away14
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Guinea 1, Malawi 0.
Post update
Corner, Guinea. Conceded by John Banda.
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Mamadou Lamarana Diallo (Guinea) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by John Banda (Malawi).
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Hand ball by Amadou Diawara (Guinea).
Substitution
Substitution, Guinea. Sory Kaba replaces Mohamed Bayo.
Post update
Issiaga Sylla (Guinea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Limbikani Mzava (Malawi).
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Corner, Guinea. Conceded by Dennis Chembezi.
Post update
Offside, Malawi. John Banda tries a through ball, but Khuda Muyaba is caught offside.
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Foul by Mohamed Bayo (Guinea).
Post update
Limbikani Mzava (Malawi) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Booking
Richard Mbulu (Malawi) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Issiaga Sylla (Guinea) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Richard Mbulu (Malawi).
Booking
Chimwemwe Idana (Malawi) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Mamadou Lamarana Diallo (Guinea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Chimwemwe Idana (Malawi).
Post update
Foul by Naby Keïta (Guinea).
