Image source, AP

BBC Sport's Ed Harry in Malabo: The referee using that whistle more and more. These sides like two boxers, dancing around in the early rounds and working the jab, now the hard body punches. We can HEAR these challenges. Surely a game that promised so much isn't going to be the first nil-nil of Afcon2015?

It will come as little surprise in this game so far, but we have another player wiped out on the floor, begging for some mercy. Mali's Adama Tamboura - a defender, not some lightweight forward - meets Raoul Loe in a 50-50 and the coming together is brutal. Tamboura takes his shin pad out and hobbles off for a bit.

Loe now gets a whack from another player. This is not for those of a nervous disposition.

There are openings here yet, but we need a goal before this becomes a point gained rather than two dropped for each side.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting gets in behind for Cameroon but the angle is against him and he can only hook an effort across the face of goal. It's in keeping with poor finishing in this game. These players need to relax in front of goal.

A big tackle from Nicolas N'Koulou in the Cameroon area. He had to get that right. Bakary Sako was motoring and they met like a pair of bulls for a 50-50. A split second late and that was a penalty. The impact is big and Sako does a forward roll.

One man runs over the free-kick...no one moves...no one fooled...then Aurelien Chedjou runs up..dip...swerve..over.

A direct ball from the back by Cameroon gets flicked on and midfielder Edgar Salli hurdles tackles - one chest high - before being felled 20 yards out. A good area for a free-kick...dangerous...

Just seven of the 46 players in the squads for these two sides play their club football in Africa - a trend we are seeing a lot in this tournament.

In other news, this one could go close to being the dirtiest game of the tournament so far. We had 48 fouls when Tunisia met Cape Verde. There have been 23 already here.

No pattern in this second half.

Image source, Getty Images

A free-kick from wide gets the big Cameroon build-up and Benjamin Moukandjo's ball in is decent but expertly flicked away by Yacouba Sylla. Good awareness and disciplined marking.

No changes and the ball starts the second half like a hot potato..."to me, to you". as the Chuckle Brothers once said. No one wants hold of it so when it is controlled, why not have a pop? Vincent Aboubakar does from range for Cameroon. Not a million miles away.

Ekine Moseph:, external Aubemayang, his pace was key for Gabon.

Nderitu Wachira:, external Senegal's Moussa Sow is brilliant.

Who is your player of the first round so far? Tweet us on #bbcafcon2015.

Image source, Reuters

Watch BBC Sport's Alex South take a look at the Ebola screening system at the Africa Cup of Nations games in Equatorial Guinea here.

All supporters have a temperature check - with those above 38C not allowed in - and must then use a hand-sanitisation gel before entering the stadium.

Image source, Reuters

BBC Sport's Ed Harry in Malabo: "It is not the day, it is not the time, it's over" Cameroon coach Volker Finke last night when asked to reflect on his side's terrible World Cup. For someone who didn't want to talk about it, he told us that Cameroon's preparation for Brazil had actually been really good, and lessons learned from that preparation had been valuable. The way his young side playing here seems to bear that out. Finke also said his squad would "always pay attention to move in one direction" - a pretty clear message for those no longer in the national team who preferred to go their own way.

Stats which underline an even first half in Malabo. I just wish there was an impact measurement stat so we could see what some of those early Mali challenges came in as. Absolute smashers.

Chances and a healthy pace, but not the finesse needed in the final third to ripple the net. Mali may look at Mustapha Yatabare's header at the back post but he could not direct on goal. Cameroon have taken a few physical hits, lost a man to injury but coped and had chances of their own. Goals in this, but if it reaches the last 20 at deadlock they may both stick rather than twist.

Image source, Getty Images

Rory Delap may have been a sought-after talent in Africa. Long throws are a big thing in this tournament and the latest Mali effort causes a few ricochets and a goalkeeper getting bashed alike a dodgem.

Midfielder Sambou Yatabare - not to be confused with striker Mustapha Yatabare - dangles a leg at the ball in the box but the goalkeeper proves he can handle this fairground and collects.

BBC Sport's Ed Harry in Malabo: Just when Mali seemed to be getting on top, Moukandjo's header almost puts Cameroon in front. Rarely seen a game with so many 'almosts' and 'maybes' - both sides launching waves of attacks, both defences equal to them. Crazy tempo, whose legs can last the longest?

Mamoutou N'Diaye is on thin ice. He's already been booked and a tangle this time around could realistically have been a second yellow card.

Benjamin Moukandjo leaps to meet a cross at the back stick for Cameroon but heads wide. A decent chance but his marker just about backed into him enough to make it tricky.

Mali with six shots to their opponents' two so far. Certainly with their direct running they look most likely. Cameroon's full-backs commit to attacks quickly and you get the sense a Mali counter-attack could pay dividends.

The space between Cameroon's right centre-back and right full-back is posing issues as Mali have a third attempt on goal from exploiting the area.

Mustapha Yatabare profits this time but he draws a third save from Fabrice Ondoa - who is on Barcelona's books.