By Dom Agbakpe

The first round of games in the Total Afcon 2019 has ended. It was generally neither sparkling nor very boring – Some games were exciting – Others were not.

There were 25 goals scored from 24 different goalscorers, 27 yellow cards were dished out with 1 red card.

Group A:

Egypt 1-0 Zimbabwe

Egypt open their campaign on a positive note with a slender 1-0 win over Zimbabwe at the Cairo International Stadium on Friday night.

The game’s only goal arrived 41 minutes courtesy a strike from Trezequet.

Uganda 2-0 DR Congo

Uganda put up a spirited performance to beat Democratic Republic of Congo 2-0 in the other Group games at the same venue on Saturday.

Patrick Kaddu and Emmanuel Okwi scored in each half to secure victory for the Cranes.

Group B:

Nigeria 1-0 Burundi

Nigeria got off their journey to a flier with a slim with over Burundi in their opening Afcon clash at the Alexandria Stadium in Alexandria on Saturday.

Former Watford striker, Odion Ighalo climbed off the bench to score the game’s only to hand the Super Eagles over the debutants.

Guinea 2-2 Madagascar

In the other Group fixture, Guinea and Madagascar played out a 2-2 drawn game at the same venue.

Sory Kaba and Francios Kamano got the goals for Syli Nationals with Anicet Abel and Carolus Adriamatsinoro getting the goals for The Barea.

Group C:

Senegal 2-0 Tanzania

Senegal coasted to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Tanzania in their Afcon opener at the June Air Defence Stadium in Cairo on Saturday.

Keita Balde and Krepin Diatta scored in either side of half to claim victory for the Teranga Lions.

Algeria 2-0 Kenya

Algeria put up a terrific performance on Sunday in their opener as they run past Kenya with a 2-0 victory at the same venue.

Baghdad Bounedjah opened the scoring in the 34th minute before Riyad Mahrez added the second just before the break to secure victory for The Fennecs.

Group D:

Morocco 1-0 Namibia

Keimuine broke the hearts of Namibians after putting the ball into his own net two minutes from full time to hand the Atlas Lions of Morocco a narrow 1-0 win at the June 30 Stadium in Cairo on Sunday.

Ivory Coast 1-0 South Africa

Ivory Coast began their campaign to a perfect note with a 1-0 with over South Africa at the Al-Salam Stadium in Cairo on Monday.

Jonathan Kodjia got the only goal of the game on 65 minutes to give The Elephants victory over the Bafana Bafana.

Group E:

Angola 1-1 Tunisia

Angola produced an impressive display as they came from behind in the opening fixture to draw 1-1 with Tunisia at the Suez Stadium in Suez.

Youssef Msakni puts the Carthage Eagles ahead from the spot in the 34th minute before Djalma Campos pulled one back for the Palancas Negras 18 minutes from full time.

Mali 4-1 Mauritania

Mali cruised to a comfortable 4-1 victory against Tanzania in the Group game at the same venue.

Abdoulaye Diaby, Moussa Marega, Adama Noss and Adama Traore scored the goals for the Eagles while El Hacen El Id got the consolation for the Lions of Chinguetti.

Group F:

Cameroon 2-0 Guinea Bissau

Cameroon got their campaign and title defence on a flier by beating Guinea Bissau 2-0 at the Ismailia Stadium in Ismailia on Tuesday night.

Yaya Banana shot the Indomitable Lions ahead with a powerful header in the 67 minute before Stephane Bahoken added the second two minutes later to hand them victory.

Ghana vs Benin

Ghana were held to a frustrating 2-2 draw by Benin in their opening Group game at the Ismailia Stadium.

Dede Ayew and Jordan Ayew got the goals for the Black Stars with Mikael Pote getting the goals for the Squirrels.