Hamari Traore and Lassine Sinayoko scored within six second-half minutes to give Mali a 2-0 Africa Cup of Nations Group E victory on Tuesday over South Africa, who missed a penalty.
Percy Tau fired a spot-kick wide in the opening half in Korhogo and it proved a costly miss as the clinical Eagles were never in danger after netting twice.
Victory took Mali to the top of the group on goal difference from Namibia, who shocked Tunisia 1-0 in the first match of a double-header.
Mali are a bogey team for South Africa, having twice eliminated them in the quarter-finals in previous Cup of Nations meetings.
Eagles did take the lead on 60 minutes thanks to the alertness of captain Traore after a free-kick.
South Africa were made to pay for the missed spot-kick in first-half added time when Sinayoko was foiled by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
Just six minutes later Mali were two goals ahead as Sinayoko demonstrated his physical strength by brushing aside Siyanda Xulu and slotting the ball into the net from close range.
In the second round of Group E matches, Mali face Tunisia on Saturday and Namibia meet South Africa on Sunday with both matches in Korhogo.