Nigeria are the top-ranked side competing at the 2018 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations in Ghana but they were beaten 1-0 in their opening game by South Africa.
Ghana got off to a winning start with a narrow victory over Algeria, thanks to Gladys Amfobea’s goal 13 minutes in.
Cameroon came from behind to beat Mail 2-1 in the other opening day Group A game. Aissata Traore broke the deadlock in the second half, only for Claudine Meffometou and Ajara Nchout to reply in the last 20 minutes.
South Africa’s second-half substitute Themi Kgatlana got the only goal of the game 5 minutes from time, as Nigeria were defeated 1-0 in Group B on Sunday.
Zambia lead the table after putting five past Equatorial Guinea, Racheal Kundananji scoring twice, one apiece from Grace Chanda, Irene Lungu and a Mary Mwakapila penalty.
The second round of group games take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the eventual top three teams in the tournament qualifying for next year’s World Cup in France.
