THE youngest ever player in the tournament, Mohamed Kallon, hit a last minute goal for Sierra Leone for a 2-1 win over Burkina Faso, their first ever victory in the African Nations Cup, yesterday.

Swiss based substitute Kallon was found free at the far post after good work by Lamine Conte and Amidu Karim. The 16 year old tapped the ball home for further celebrations after he had earlier beaten Nigerian Daniel Amokachi's record as the youngest player to play in the event. Gbessay Sesay opened the scoring in the 10th minute for Leone, but Aboubacary Ouedraogo equalised 20 minutes from time.

Stronger and sharper during a first half played in 33 degrees centigrade, the Leone Stars were seldom troubled by opponents who caused the upset of the preliminary rounds when eliminating Morocco.

However, the Burkinabe never lost their shape, and they were finally rewarded for consistent pressure when the unmarked Ouedraogo slammed a cross into the net off the hands of Kamara in the 70th minute.

Shocked into action, the Leone Stars recovered their composure and created several chances before Kallon finished off a move started by Conteh, one of the most impressive players on view, with less than a minute to go to full time.

Victory took Sierra Leone to the top of Group B with three points, followed by seeded countries Zambia and Algeria with one each.

In yesterday's other match, Egypt just managed to hang on to their half time lead to heat Angola 2-1 in group A. El Kass scored in the 30th and 33rd minutes, before substitute Quinzinho equalised in the 79th minute for Angola. Egypt now lie second in group A to hosts South Africa.

George Weah makes his tournament debut for Liberia against Gabon in Durban today. The 29 year old world footballer of the year spearheads Liberia's challenge in group C - down to just three teams after Nigeria pulled out for political reasons. Tunisia play Mozambique, in group D, at Port Elizabeth in the day's other game.