Mali opened their African Nations Cup Group B campaign with a hard-fought victory over minnows Benin on Monday evening.
The Eagles dominated possession in the first period but were frustrated by a Benin team content to sit back and frustrate their more fancied opponents.
The breakthrough arrived shortly after the interval when Frederic Kanoute calmly converted a penalty following a foul on Draman Traore by Alain Gaspoz.
The first half, which kicked off 15 minutes late due to power failure in Sekondi, was bossed by Mali but Jean-Francois Jodar's team lacked width and were unable to find a cutting edge against a determined Benin back-line.
Seydou Keita, who was at the heart of most of Mali's promising attacking moves, mustered a good chance in the 12th minute but drilled narrowly wide with his left foot from 18 yards.
Moments later, Mali goalkeeper Mahamadou Sidibe flapped at a cross but got away with it as Seidath Tchomogo headed over.
Tchomogo had another half-chance for Benin in the 24th minute but saw his header from a corner caught by Mahamadou Sidibe.
Benin, who managed two draws against Mali in qualifying for this competition, set about their game-plan in disciplined fashion - soaking up the pressure and then looking to play on the counter-attack.
Reinhard Fabisch's team were fortunate to keep 11 players on the pitch, however, with South African referee Damon Jerome taking a lenient view to their physical approach.
Khaled Adenon fouled Keita from behind and then blatantly pulled at the shirt of Lokomotiv Moscow frontman Traore, but was shown only a yellow card.
The only goal of the game arrived in the 49th minute when Kanoute's long-range shot was spilled by Benin keeper Rachad Chitou and Traore, following up, was cynically shoved over by Gaspoz.
Sevilla striker Kanoute made no mistake from the spot, waiting for Chitou to commit himself and then coolly slotting home.
Mali skipper Mahamadou Diarra tried his luck from distance but was denied a second by Chitou.
The Beninois were forced to push forward after going behind, and looked more of a threat following the introduction of Le Mans midfielder Stephane Sessegnon.
But they were unable to find a way past Mahamadou Sidibe despite their late flurry as Mali did just enough to secure the points and move joint-top of Group B alongside Ivory Coast, who beat Nigeria 1-0 earlier on Monday.
