JOHANNESBURG: Holders Nigeria were handed a shock defeat at the start of the group phase of African Nations Cup qualifying on Saturday night while Ghana also still seemed to be nursing a World Cup hangover.
Fellow 2014 World Cup combatants Algeria, Cameroon and Ivory Coast were in a happier mood after opening the campaign for a place at the Nations Cup finals in Morocco in January with victories.
There were also home wins for Burkina Faso, Gabon and Tunisia and an away triumph for the tiny Cape Verde Islands.
Zambia, winners in 2012, were held to a goalless draw at home by Mozambique.
Congo became the first country in 33 years to win a competitive match in Nigeria as they beat the Nations Cup champions 3-2 in Calabar with two goals from French-born striker Thievy Bifouma.
Nigeria were last beaten in a competitive home game when they lost 2-0 to Algeria in a World Cup qualifier in Lagos in 1981.
With a possible ban from world soccer’s ruling body FIFA hanging over them for government interference in football federation matters, they were caught out in their opening Group A game on Saturday.
Efe Ambrose headed the hosts in front after 13 minutes but Congo captain Prince Oniangue equalised three minutes later.
AFP
