The first day of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations concluded on Tuesday evening, delivering an action-packed start to the tournament. The teams widely regarded as favorites confirmed their status, with Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Mali, and Cameroon all securing opening victories. These wins set the tone for what promises to be a competitive and exciting edition of Africa’s premier football tournament.
A total of 27 goals were scored across 12 matches on the opening day, producing a healthy average of 2.25 goals per game. Notably, none of the first-day fixtures ended in a goalless draw, underscoring the attacking intent of the participating teams. The highest-scoring match took place on Monday in Suez, where Mali thrashed Mauritania 4-1, thrilling the crowd with five goals in a single encounter.
Group A saw the hosts, Egypt, edge past Zimbabwe 1-0, securing a vital three points in front of a home crowd. Meanwhile, the Democratic Republic of Congo suffered a 2-0 defeat to Uganda, leaving the Leopards in a precarious position early in the tournament.
In Group B, Nigeria narrowly defeated Burundi 1-0, with Odion Ighalo scoring the decisive goal to give the Super Eagles a winning start. Guinea and Madagascar played out an entertaining 2-2 draw, as the Syli National struggled to overcome the debutant Madagascan side. This result leaves Guinea with a point but plenty of work to do to remain in contention for the knockout stages.
Group C featured convincing victories for the continent’s heavyweights. Senegal defeated Tanzania 2-0, while Algeria matched that scoreline against Kenya. Both teams showcased solid defensive performances combined with clinical finishing, sending a strong message to their group rivals.
In Group D, Morocco eked out a 1-0 victory over Namibia, while Ivory Coast also claimed a 1-0 win against South Africa. These narrow victories highlight the tight nature of the group, where even small margins can determine progression to the next round.
Group E featured a high-scoring contest between Mali and Mauritania, with the West African side triumphing 4-1. Tunisia and Angola played to a 1-1 draw, showing that this group is likely to be closely contested until the final matchday.
Finally, in Group F, Cameroon began their title defense with a 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau. The Indomitable Lions displayed their quality and tactical cohesion to secure the victory. In the same group, Ghana and Benin shared the spoils in an entertaining 2-2 draw, with Benin recording a notable performance against the experienced Black Stars.
In total, 27 goals were scored across the 12 opening matches, highlighting a tournament that promises both excitement and drama. Fans can look forward to an AFCON full of tactical battles, standout individual performances, and memorable moments as the competition progresses toward the knockout stages.
The opening day confirmed that while some favorites are off to strong starts, other teams have challenges to overcome, setting up a thrilling mix of contests in the coming days of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
