Nigeria began their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 2-1 victory over Benin in a Group L opener played on Wednesday at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
In other results on Wednesday, Sudan were emphatic 4-0 winners in their game against Sao Tome and Principle and Nations Cup hosts Cameroon were held to a goalless draw at home to Cape Verde.
In Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso and Uganda played out to a goalless draw while Sierra Leone and Lesotho played to a 1-1 draw in their Group L opener.
Meanwhile, in Blantyre, Malawi defeated South Sudan 1-0 in Group B, while The Gambia stunned Angola with a shocking 3-1 victory.
In Bangui, Central Africa Republic picked maximum points against Burundi, beating them 2-0 in a Group E clash, while runners-up at the 2019 showpiece, Senegal emerged 2-0 victorious against Congo Brazzaville.
On Thursday, defending champions Algeria launched its qualifying campaign by routing Zambia 5-0.
The biggest shock of the day, came from Comoros who beat Togo 1-0 in Lome, thanks to Faiz Selemani’s goal early in the second half.
DR Congo and Gabon had to settle for a 0-0 draw at home to Gabon. Elsewhere, Egypt missed Mohamed Salah when it was held 1-1 at home by Kenya.
In Cape Coast, South Africa were outplayed 2-0 by a Ghana team inspired by the Ayew brothers.
Thomas Partey opened the scoring with a deflected long-range effort in the 35th minute before debutant Kudus Mohammed added a second 11 minutes from time.
In Maputo, Mozambique beat Rwanda 2-0 in a game interrupted late on by floodlight failure, while in Bamako Naby Keita was among the goal-scorers to help Guinea to a 2-2 draw against Mali.
