Guinea won 1-0 over a spirited Malawi side to start their Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
After superb hold-up play by attacker Jose Kante, left-back Issiaga Sylla scored the game’s sole goal 10 minutes before halftime.
At their Group B match in Bafoussam, though, the West Africans had goalkeeper Aly Keita to thank for a string of saves.
In the first half, he pushed over three long-range attempts and then heroically dived at Yamikani Chester’s feet.
Guinea, captained by Liverpool player Naby Keita, is tied for first place in Group A with Senegal on three points after the Teranga Lions defeated Zimbabwe earlier in the day.