The Eagles of Mali got off to a flying start at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Tournament with a 4-1 hammering of debutants Mauritania in their opening Group E match in Suez.

The West Africans dominated possession and didn’t struggle throughout the entire 90 minutes.

Abdoulaye Diaby opened the scoring in the 37 minute with a left footed shot from outside the box leaving keeper Brahim Souleyman with no chance of saving it.

Souleyman then gave away a cheap penalty in the 44th minute after committing a foul in the box. Moussa Marega made no mistake from the penalty spot and Mali went into the break with a comfortable lead.

Mali continued from where they had left off dominating possession and threatening in attack. Adama Traore made it 3 nil in the 55th minute but Moctar Sidi El Hacen pulled one back in the 72nd minute

Traore completed his brace a minute later to seal all points and send Mali top of Group E.