Mali rode their luck at times but managed to come away with a precious 1-0 victory over Guinea in their 2012 Africa Cup of Nations Group D clash at Stade de Franceville on Tuesday.
Guinea had the better chances in the game, but the decisive moment came from Mali as Bakaye Traore found a first-half winner.
The Mali squad has been hampered by injuries in the lead-up to the tournament, including to their leading man, Barcelona's Seydou Keita.
His presence in the starting line-up will have given his compatriots a massive lift.
But it was Guinea who looked the more likely to take the lead. Ismael Bangoura forced a fine save out of Mali goalkeeper Soumbeyla Diakite on the 20-minute mark to liven up what had been a quiet beginning.
The same player went close soon afterwards but his shot went the wrong side of the post and into the side-netting.
Mali were ahead after 30 minutes, though the goal did have an element of good fortune about it.
Abdou Traore took a free-kick that was only half cleared, with Bakaye Traore trying his luck from range. The shot took a deflection and wrong-footed Guinea goalkeeper Naby Yattara.
Diakite then again had to be alert to come off his line and smother the danger from Ismael Bangoura, while namesake Alhassane Bangoura squandered two headed opportunities.
Syli National were close to an equaliser after excellent build-up play on the right saw Abdoul Camara provide an excellent cross that was just out of the reach of Ousmane Barry.
Going into the final 15 minutes and it was all Guinea. Their talisman Pascal Feindouno had a couple of efforts from range that did not trouble Diakite, while Cedric Kante and Feindouno again went close in a frantic final few minutes.
But Mali were able to hold on for the win that takes them level points at the top of the pool with Ghana, who earlier in the day had defeated Botswana by the same margin.
The teams now look ahead to Saturday, when Mali will be hoping to keep their winning run going as they face up to the Black Stars of Ghana, while Guinea and Botswana will be involved in a do-or-die clash that will see the loser eliminated.
