Mali defeated Niger 2-1 in the 2017 Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group B match at the Libreville stadium.
The Malians took the game to Niger as early as the sixth minute as Drame broke the deadlock.
Niger equalised in the 35th minute with a stunning free from Habibou Sofiane.
But Mali bounced back to claim the lead as the captain Mohamed Camara scored the winner in the 45th minute.
Tanzania edged out Angola 2-1 in the other Group B match.
Action continues at the tournament on Saturday with the host Gabon playing Cameroon, while Ghana face Guinea
