Nigeria started the African Nations Championship, for footballers that ply their trade in their local leagues, badly after they lost&nbsp; 1 - 2&nbsp; to fellow West Africans Mali at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday night.<br /><br />Abdoulaye Sissoko opened scoring for the Malians in the 17th minute and winger Traore added a second four minutes after the restart.<br /><br />Substitute Gbolahan Salami pulled a goal back for the Super Eagles in the 54th minute.<br /><br />Inevitably, Nigeria had chances to equalize, Ifeanyi Ede&rsquo;s long range effort went wide and more unluckily Enugu Rangers man Ejike Uzoenyi hit the post.<br /><br />Nigeria will meet Mozambique, who lost their opener against hosts South Africa, in the second round of games in Group A on Wednesday, January 15.&nbsp; <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />