Capital hoax, a stunning blow (6)

I believe the answer is:

bamako

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'capital' is the definition.
(capital of Mali)

'hoax a stunning blow' is the wordplay.
'hoax' becomes 'bam' (I've seen this before).
'stunning blow' becomes 'ko' (KO is an example. I am not sure about the 'stunning' bit.).
'bam'+'a'+'ko'='BAMAKO'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for bamako that I've seen before include "Capital of Mali" , "African capital" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Sunday Times.

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