Egypt kicked off their Africa Cup of Nations title defence with a 3-1 win on rival Nigeria. The six-time African champions have thereby taken the lead in Group C ahead of Mozambique and Benin, who shared the spoils 2-2 in the day’s other game.

Nigeria had taken an early lead on the Egyptians through Chinedu Obasi. The pharaohs, who are seeking to put their disappointment about the FIFA World Cup elimination behind them, managed to recover and dominated the rest of the game against the west Africans. Emad Motaeb, Ahmed Hassan and substitute Mohamed Nagi set the score: 3-1.

In the other game in Group C, Benin lost a 2-0 lead to Mozambique. With two goals in the first twenty minutes, a penalty by Razak Omotoyossi and an own goal by Mozambique defender Dario Khan, they were on course for their first ever Africa Cup victory.

But Mozambique came back strong with a goal by Almiro Lobo after half an hour. Goncalves Fumo scored the equaliser ten minutes after the half time break. Dutch Mozambique coach Mart Nooij praised his players who, according to him, played "like a bull chasing a red flag".

On Wednesday the teams of Group D will kick off their tournament. In Lubanga Cameroon will face Gabon. Tunesia is up against Zambia.
 

source: AFP

Watch the goals of both matches