Quick fire and high tempo matches have never been a staple at the African Nations Cup finals but Mali and Guinea showed on Tuesday night in Franceville their potential to go at an opponent at full speed.

In a game full of chances, Mali edged Guinea 1-0 at the start of Group D but were perhaps fortunate to take the points.

Mali coach Alain Giresse played a young and inexperienced side, a result of a changing of the guard in the national team's ranks over the last two years and an injury crisis on the eve of the tournament.

Guinea's side was a mix of both youth and experience, and on paper more potent than their opponents, even if players like Pascal Feindouno and Ismail Bangoura are no longer as effective as they used to be. But they could both have turned into match winners.

Bangoura had two early chances to take the lead for Guinea and, near the end of the game, Feinduono twice shot from distance and went wide when there were perhaps better options.

Bangoura and namesake Alhassane Bangoura provided pace for Guinea along with the German-based youngster Ibrahim Traore, while Modibo Maiga was the best of the Mali attackers, showing lots of guile and determination.

Both coaches were willing to let their players go forward and Guinea, already trailing after 29 minutes, had no hesitation in quickly throwing in fresh legs in the second half, with three substitutions designed to add to their attacking prowess.

Players obviously tired as the game headed to a finish and there were more mistakes near the end but it was certainly a lively affair. Guinea will still believe they have every chance of going through to the quarter-final stage although they must beat Botswana on Saturday and probably win also against Ghana in their last group match next week.

Mali's next game against Ghana on Saturday will give a better indication of their potential to do well at the finals after crashing so spectacularly in Angola two years ago.