Mali's Barca star stunned by comeback against Angola

Mali trailed 4-0 with just 11 minutes to go in the tournament's opening fixture but, inspired by a double from Keita, somehow salvaged a draw with the equaliser coming deep into stoppage time from Mustapha Yatabare.

Barcelona midfielder Keita, who surprisingly started on the bench before entering the fray 35 minutes in, said: "There was a lot of pressure on us. I conceded a penalty and they kept scoring.

"I just couldn't imagine we could fight back like that.

We were bad in the first half, mentally we weren't really at the races. It didn't look like we would get anything but luckily we managed to get a point and we are happy.

"It's good for us mentally, our confidence, but we have to be careful to not make too many mistakes. There is a lot to correct before the next match."

Meanwhile, the Togo squad returned home last night after opting to pull out of the tournament following Friday's terrorist attack on the team bus which left three people dead. However, it could prove to be a short stay after it emerged the country's sports minister suggested they could return by the middle of the week.

Christophe Tchao told reporters before the squad left Cabinda: "We have ordered a three-day mourning. The players are leaving with the bodies of their fallen brothers and we have asked the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to find an arrangement so we can catch up with the competition later."

The decision to go home following two days toing and froing eventually came from the country's leading governmental figures, overruling the players who had performed a U-turn and decided to participate as a mark of respect to the fallen.

Togolese prime minister Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo and president Faure Gnassingbe had the final say – despite some last-ditch talks instigated by CAF designed to keep the team in Angola – insisting the squad return home immediately with the presidential plane dispatched to collect them.