Durosimi Thomas BBC Sport Online in Ouagadougou

Host nation Burkina Faso wasted several chances to get a perfect start to the 13th Under 20 Nations Cup in Ouagadougou on Saturday.

And their group rivals also failed to take control after themselves drawing, with Gabon snatching a last minute equaliser.

But both games suggest that this is going to be a lively and exciting championship, with some great skill, as well as big flaws, on display.

Each game had its hero and players to remember for the rest of the competition.

Belgium-based Ousseni Zongo missed four clear chances for Burkina, with the ball twice being cleared off the line.

The opening ceremony

South African keeper Wayne Samdilands played a crucial role having to make a series of last ditch saves.

However, there are signs that the South Africans could go further than they did in Ethiopia two years ago.

Strikers Rashied Thorne and his partner Ashford Memela caused early panic for the hosts, but were unable to finish.

Newcomers Gabon had the modest honour of scoring the first goal of the tournament when in the fourth minute their Strasbourg striker Eric Mouloungui blasted the opener from close range.

Mali had looked out of sorts but a lovely lob from the right found the head of Souleymane Dembele who placed the ball beautfully in the corner of the net.

Gabon appeared to run out of ideas although Mouloungui was a constant threat and it was Mali who went into the break 2-1 up after Bakary Coulibaly pouned on a devensive lapse.

Gabon had to rely on their substitute Stephane Nguema Ondo to earn them a point.

The powerful striker hit the roof of the net in the 94th minute to save his side from an embarrassing defeat.