Mali drew 1-1 with already-eliminated Uganda in the northern town of Oyem, with that game hit by heavy rain just before kickoff that left a field that was already poor, now sodden and unpredictable.
"It was a catastrophic pitch, unplayable," Mali's Yacouba Sylla said.
Uganda coach Milutin Sredojevic said: "It looked more like water polo than football, but we have an answer for that, it was the same conditions for both teams."
Yves Bissouma's free-kick gave Mali a memorable AFCON moment, but Mali were also eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations after the disappointing draw.
Mali came into the game needing a win in order to progress to the quarters, but after Egypt beat Ghana in the pool's other game, they were kicked out of the tournament. Both sides later scored great goals after the break, Faruku Miya's powerful strike for Uganda cancelled out by a brilliant free-kick from Yves Bissouma. row.
Africa Team