Hamari Traore and Lassine Sinayoko struck as Mali beat South Africa in their Africa Cup of Nations opener.
Percy Tau sent a penalty over the bar for Bafana Bafana in a first half characterised by missed chances.
The pattern continued until Traore tapped in the rebound after Sekou Koita’s free-kick hit the woodwork.
Sinayoko seized on Kamory Doumbia’s pass to rifle the second from inside the box six minutes later and seal victory for the 1972 finalists.
The result at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Korhogo means Mali have won all three Afcon games they have played against South Africa, having beaten them at the 2002 and 2013 editions.
Mali are top of Group E ahead of Namibia, who earlier stunned Tunisia with a 1-0 victory for their first ever Afcon victory.
South Africa started in promising fashion and caused Mali early problems with their pace, winning a penalty in the 18th minute after Sikou Niakate was adjudged to have fouled Evidence Makgopa in the box following a VAR check by referee Mohamed Hussein.
Al Ahly forward Tau – the reigning Confederation of African Football (Caf) Interclub Player of the Year – ballooned his effort over and blazed another shot behind less than 10 minutes later.
A lack of attacking finesse let South Africa down, Mali goalkeeper Djigul Diarra denying them with routine saves.
Mali were nearly gifted a goal on the stroke of half-time when a lapse of concentration at the back by South Africa allowed Sinayoko through on goal, but Ronwen Williams was alert to the danger and came off his line to nudge the ball away.
With South Africa showing signs of tiredness, Mali completely dominated the second half against disjointed-looking opponents who struggled to create chances.
Teboho Mokoena went closest for the 1996 champions with a last-minute free-kick from distance which smashed against a post.
Mali, who are ranked 51st and tipped as Afcon dark horses, are back in action against Tunisia on Saturday (20:00 GMT)
Broos’ players will take on southern African neighbours Namibia, who have 10 players in their squad playing for clubs in South Africa, on Sunday (20:00 GMT).
Line-ups
Mali
Formation 4-3-1-2
16Diarra
2Traoré5Kouyaté6Niakaté17Sacko
23Dieng10Bissouma4Haidara
26Doumbia
25Sinayoko20Koïta
- 16Diarra
- 2Traoré
- 5KouyatéBooked at 43mins
- 6NiakatéBooked at 18mins
- 17Sacko
- 23DiengSubstituted forDiabatéat 78′minutes
- 10BissoumaSubstituted forCoulibalyat 58′minutesBooked at 90mins
- 4HaidaraSubstituted forTraoréat 87′minutes
- 26Doumbia
- 25SinayokoSubstituted forSissokoat 86′minutes
- 20KoïtaSubstituted forDorgelesat 87′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Diawara
- 3Danté
- 7Doumbia
- 9Sissoko
- 11Coulibaly
- 15Fofana
- 18Niakaté
- 19Diabaté
- 21Traoré
- 22Doumbia
- 24Traoré
- 27Dorgeles
South Africa
Formation 4-4-2
1Williams
20Mudau5Xulu14Mvala6Modiba
10Tau4Mokoena13Sithole12Maseko
11Zwane9Makgopa
- 1Williams
- 20Mudau
- 5XuluBooked at 77mins
- 14MvalaBooked at 58mins
- 6Modiba
- 10Tau
- 4Mokoena
- 13Sithole
- 12MasekoSubstituted forMorenaat 87′minutes
- 11ZwaneSubstituted forMayambelaat 73′minutes
- 9MakgopaSubstituted forLepasaat 73′minutes
Substitutes
- 2Mobbie
- 3Mashego
- 7Appollis
- 8Adams
- 15Monare
- 16Mothwa
- 17Lepasa
- 18Kekana
- 19Sibisi
- 21Mayambela
- 22Goss
- 23Morena
- Referee:
- Mohamed Hussien
Match Stats
Live Text
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Match ends, Mali 2, South Africa 0.
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Second Half ends, Mali 2, South Africa 0.
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Attempt saved. Teboho Mokoena (South Africa) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is saved in the bottom left corner.
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Lassana Coulibaly (Mali) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Teboho Mokoena (South Africa) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Lassana Coulibaly (Mali).
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Attempt missed. Boubacar Traoré (Mali) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top right corner. Assisted by Lassana Coulibaly.
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Attempt blocked. Kamory Doumbia (Mali) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is blocked.
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Foul by Zakhele Lepasa (South Africa).
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Sikou Niakaté (Mali) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Substitution, South Africa. Thapelo Morena replaces Thapelo Maseko.
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Substitution, Mali. Boubacar Traoré replaces Amadou Haidara.
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Substitution, Mali. Nene Dorgeles replaces Sékou Koïta.
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Substitution, Mali. Ibrahim Sissoko replaces Lassine Sinayoko.
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Foul by Mothobi Mvala (South Africa).
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Lassine Sinayoko (Mali) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Attempt missed. Amadou Haidara (Mali) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Lassine Sinayoko.
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Mihlali Mayambela (South Africa) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Fousseni Diabaté (Mali).
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Foul by Percy Tau (South Africa).