GOALFLASHES AND MAJOR INCIDENTS (all times GMT)
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By Alistair Magowan
1902: The 2010 Africa Cup of Nations is under way signalling a huge year for African football.1900: Before kick-off the teams gather for a minute’s silence remembering those killed in the tragic incident in Cabinda. Well observed too.1857: Also worth mentioning that Juventus midfielder Momo Sissoko is on the bench for Mali.1857: The national anthems commence. Mali’s is well sung but the Angolan effort is noisy in the extreme. The stadium is buzzing and it feels like the tournament is already beginning to blow away the dark clouds of the last couple of days.1854:** From Hope via text:** "Here’s to hoping recent events are isolated ones and the ACON is a reason to celebrate once more. Togo, you’re in everyone’s thoughts."1852: The teams are out and are shaking hands. The stadium looks packed and you’ve never seen so many oversized pairs of glasses in your life! 1844:** TEAM NEWS Angola v Mali**
Good news for hosts Angola as striker Flavio starts after doubts about his fitness. Mali meanwhile are less fortunate with Barcelona midfielder Seydou Keita missing out with a thigh problem.1839: TEAMS Angola v Mali
Angola: Fernandes, Mabina, Kali, Rui Marques, Stelvio, Xara, Dede, Zuela, Gilberto, Flavio, Manucho.
Mali: Sidibe, Diamountene, Berthe, Tamboura, Soumare, Diarra, Traore, Traore, Bagayoko, Maiga, Kanoute. 1835:From cheese666 on 606:"Where’s the ACON gang I’m ready for the old chats about socks and plum sauce."1832:** BBC World Service’s Farayi Mungazi: “The atmosphere here in the stadium is electric. It must be the most money spent on an Africa Cup of Nations opening ceremony in history.” 1827: For those of you that are asking, the BBC is showing the semi-finals and final of the Africa Cup of Nations on TV. Full details are here:BBC coverage1821: By the way, we’ve just heard from the BBC’s Matthew Kenyon that the Togo team latest is that a plane is waiting to take them home at Cabinda airport and after much discussion a convoy has set out from the team camp. “It looks like they might be on the way home,” says Kenyon. We’ll keep you posted.1815: Our colleagues at the World Service are out in force in Angola. So you have no excuse not to get in touch with them in the heat or us in the cold in London. You can text me on 81111 (UK) or +44 7786200666 (the world), get chirping on606**](http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A61671954)or give our man in Luanda a knock, Richard Connelly is onTwitter.](http://twitter.com/RichConnelly)1809: Judging by the building atmosphere at the 11 de Novembre National Stadium in Luanda it sounds like the Angolan crowd are doing their best to put the events of the last few days behind them. Kick-off, should you need reminding, is 1900 GMT.1800: After the shocking events in Angola, it is hard not to have a heavy heart. The Africa Cup of Nations was set to be the perfect warm-up for Africa’s first World Cup in June, but the occasion has been overshadowed by the gun attack on the Togo team.So how to continue Perhaps Togo midfielder Thomas Dossevi struck the right chord when he said: "We are all heartbroken, it is no longer a party, but we want to show our national colours and our values."In Togo’s absence,for now,it is up to hosts Angola and Mali to do that as they kick off the tournament in Luanda. Hopefully a lively home crowd and a decent game can put football back on the agendaThis article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.