Nigeria started the African Nations Championship, for footballers that ply their trade in their local leagues, badly after they lost  1 - 2  to fellow West Africans Mali at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday night.

Abdoulaye Sissoko opened scoring for the Malians in the 17th minute and winger Traore added a second four minutes after the restart.

Substitute Gbolahan Salami pulled a goal back for the Super Eagles in the 54th minute.

Inevitably, Nigeria had chances to equalize, Ifeanyi Ede’s long range effort went wide and more unluckily Enugu Rangers man Ejike Uzoenyi hit the post.

Nigeria will meet Mozambique, who lost their opener against hosts South Africa, in the second round of games in Group A on Wednesday, January 15.