Hosts Angola conceded four late goals to draw 4-4 with Mali on Sunday in a dramatic opening match of the African Nations Cup overshadowed by the ambush on the Togo team bus.

Seydou Keita was on target twice as the Malians scored four times in the last 11 minutes of an extraordinary game to deflate the Angolans who had looked to be cruising to a comfortable victory.

Angola were in complete control after striker Flavio headed two goals in quick succession late in the first half. Gilberto added the third with a twice-taken penalty midway through the second and Manucho converted a second penalty to put them 4-0 up.

The tournament had been thrown into doubt after gunmen attacked the Togo team bus in the enclave of Cabinda on Friday, killing the driver and two members of the Togolese delegation.

Despite the attack, Sunday’s opener at the newly-built November 11 stadium went ahead in a carnival atmosphere which was temporarily broken when a minute’s silence was held for the victims before kickoff.