Ambroise Oyongo scored his first goal for Cameroon to rescue a point against Mali in their opening match.
The right-back charged into the penalty area to collect a pass from Raoul Loe and controlled brilliantly before slotting home from close range.
Sambou Yatabare had put Mali ahead when he drilled home a low shot from inside the six-yard box.
In an earlier kickoff, Ivory Coast fought back to draw their Africa Cup of Nations opener with Guinea, despite having Gervinho sent off early in the second half.
Guinea took a 36th-minute lead when Mohamed Yattara volleyed in.
Ex-Arsenal striker Gervinho, who had hit the bar in the first half, was dismissed on 58 minutes for a slap.
Ibrahima Traore almost doubled the lead when his shot hit the bar, but Ivory Coast rescued themselves when Seydou Doumbia slotted low into the corner.
CAPE Verde national team coach Rui Aguas believes his country and Zambia are examples of how football should be played on the continent. And there was no fanfare and pomp that usually characterises the official opening of the tournament as the host country could only manage a 1-all draw against Congo Brazaville in the opening match in group A. Aguas said the two teams play stylish football which he said was a pleasure to be involved in. In an interview prior to his team’s first match against Tunisia last night, Aguas said, “It’s a good feeling playing Zambia, I like to play good teams, technical teams not teams who play the ball away and Zambia is the opposite, Zambia is like Cape Verde, we like to play football the African way.” “I think African players play in their different ways. Sometimes I see African teams play long balls fighting and not playing but Zambia and Cape Verde I think are good examples of what I like in football and I believe we can make another two good games like we did in the qualifiers. I believe it is not a problem playing Zambia, it is a pleasure,” he said. The two teams will be meeting at the tournament for the third time having faced each other in the qualifiers in which both claimed home victories. Meanwhile, the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations opening ceremony was expectedly poorly organised, largely because of the haphazard one month preparations for the West African country which replaced Morocco as the AfCON host. In the commercial capital Bata where the main event was held, CAF president Issa Hayatou and host president Obiang Nguema delivered unusual short speeches to signal the start of the games. In Ebebiyin, small groups of children and few enthusiasts gathered outside Zambia’s hotel where a huge screen had been mounted to watch live proceedings though the mood was rather too calm for the magnitude of the sporting event. – See more at: http://www.postzambia.com/news.php?id=5486#sthash.2eAHACSc.dpuf
Yet we speak ill of our team. Are we watching the same Zambia?
This guy is playing mind games here, we all saw that Zambia was pathetic in their opening game so who the hell is he trying to fool?
Who is he trying to fool maybe janza but the game I saw was pathetic long balls no flare we played to the tune of DRC
If he says the friendly game against SA first half that’s what he is saying then I agree
Janza can’t read games on the touchline he looks confused his subs one wonders if “is he watching the same game with everyone or he is.dreaming”
But whichever way I’ll support the the lads I can’t put my head on other countries
Leo I was going to say the same…I only saw long balls from Zambia. Where did we get that wretched strategy? I remember under Patrice that ceased.