WEEKEND'S AFCON 2017 QUALIFIERS FULL RESULTS

Nigeria made a winning start, Zimbabwe created an upset, and South Africa and Zambia were held at home as the first matchday of CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifying continued Saturday. Cape Verde Islands scored seven goals and Angola four against weak rivals in other games as the contest to find 15 teams for the 2017 finals in Gabon unfolded.

The Eagles of Nigeria celebrate their victory against Chad

A disastrous start to the last qualifying competition robbed then defending champions Nigeria of a place in the 2015 tournament won by Côte d'Ivoire. But the Super Eagles patiently wore down dogged minnows Chad in northern city Kaduna for a 2-0 Group G victory. Gbolahan Salami broke the deadlock on 63 minutes and Odion Ighalo converted a penalty 10 minutes from time to complete a routine victory. 

Zimbabwe, who missed a flight to Malawi and travelled by bus via Zambia, won 2-1 in Blantyre thanks to a Khama Billiat cross-cum-shot that slipped into the far corner of the net. Cuthbert Malajila punished a Harry Nyirenda blunder to put the visitors ahead midway through the opening half only for John Banda to equalize within 60 seconds. Billiat scored seven minutes from time to create another Group L upset after Swaziland stunned Guinea 2-1 in Morocco Friday.

The absence of honeymooning Tokelo Rantie left South Africa without a recognised striker and they paid the price as minnows Gambia forced a 0-0 draw in Durban. It was the usual Bafana Bafana tale with lots of possession going to waste through unimaginative final-third play. New Gambia coach Raoul Savoy fielded a cautious, combative, well-drilled side for the Group M clash, including Swansea City winger Modou Barrow.

Shock 2012 African champions Zambia were held 0-0 by Guinea-Bissau in Ndola with veteran goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene squandering a late chance to secure maximum Group E points. A clumsy hand-ball gifted the Chipolopolo a stoppage-time penalty that Mweene kicked timidly at goalkeeper Jonas Mendes.

Cape Verde Islands, seeking a third consecutive Cup of Nations appearance, showed why they are ranked 150 places above fellow island state Sao Tome e Principe with a 7-1 triumph in Praia. Jorge Semedo triggered the goal avalanche after 11 minutes and also scored the sixth before Julio Tavares completed a Group F rout 15 minutes from time.

Gelson bagged a brace as Angola trounced the Central African Republic 4-0 in Lubango, where Dolly Menga and Gilberto converted penalties in a Group B mismatch. English Premier League sharp-shooters Mame Biram Diouf and Sadio Mane were among the goals as Senegal opened their Group K campaign by overcoming Burundi 3-1 in Dakar.

Algeria, the top-ranked African team, scored twice in each half for a 4-0 win over lowly visitors Seychelles in Group J with El-Arbi Hillel Soudani claiming two goals. 

South Africa were held at home by Gambia

Ghana thrashed Mauritius 7-1 in their opening 2017 African Nations Cup qualifier in Accra.

The Group H favourites were ahead after just 10 minutes against Mauritius, who are ranked 176th in the FIFA World Ranking -- some 142 places below their hosts.

Christian Atsu opened the scoring, heading home a Harrison Afful cross for his ninth international goal, and it was 2-0 shortly afterwards when Jordan Ayew was presented with a tap-in by Jeffrey Schlupp.

Asamoah Gyan then scored a quickfire brace and, while J.S. Piesie reduced the deficit, it was 5-1 by the 38th minute as Ayew netted his second of the game with an excellent strike.

Schlupp's added a sixth in the 69th minute, his first ever for Ghana, before David Accam rounded off the scoring.

Also in Ghana's group, Rwanda won 1-0 away to Mozambique, with Ernest Sugira getting the decisive goal after just three minutes.

Emmanuel Adebayor scored twice to earn Togo a 2-1 Group A victory over Liberia having been dropped from the squad to face Ghana in a friendly last week after reportedly failing to report to the training camp.

Adebayor earned maximum points for Tom Saintfiet's side, who had gone behind when William Jebor struck three minutes before half-time but levelled through the Tottenham striker soon after the break.

Cameroon needed a last-minute goal as they edged past Mauritania 1-0 at home.

Porto striker Vincent Aboubakar produced a superb piece of control before scoring in the 90th minute to spare the Indomitable Lions' blushes as they got their Group M campaign under way with a win.

Congo drew 1-1 with Kenya in Group E.

Kenya winger Paul Were gave the visitors the lead in the 12th minute after breaking down the flank, but Prince Oniangue secured a share of the spoils when he converted a 37th-minute penalty after Jackson Saleh's handball.

Egypt scored three goals in nine second-half minutes to beat Tanzania 3-0 in Alexandria.

Egypt players celebrate against Tanzania

Ramy Rabia, Basem Morsi and Mohamed Salah were all on target as Egypt went top of Group G, ahead of Nigeria on goal difference.

In Group J, Ethiopia beat Lesotho 2-1 in front of a crowd reported at over 60,000.

Minnows Lesotho took a shock lead just before half-time, but Etihopia hit back with goals from Gatoch Panom and Saladin Said to take the three points.

Congo DR edged to a 2-1 home victory over Madagascar in Group B.

All the goals came in the second half as the hosts went 2-0 up through Firmin Mubele Ndombe and Joel Kimuaki Mpela.

Madagascar pulled a late goal back in the 78th minute, but they were unable to cause an upset.

In Group K, a Souleymane Sacko penalty earned Niger Rep a 1-0 victory over Namibia.

Equatorial Guinea earned a point as they recovered from a goal down at home to Benin in Group C thanks to captain Emilio Nsue.

And in Group I, Sudan recorded a 1-0 win over Sierra Leone thanks to a second-half Ramadan Agab penalty.