By Dom Agbakpe in Ghana,

The 11th edition of the Total African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) started in earnest over the weekend with a surprise as Ghana, Cameroon, South Africa and Zambia all claimed victories.

On Saturday afternoon, Ghana Black Queens secured a hard fought win at the Accra Sports Stadium, thanks to a narrow 1-0 win over Les Fennecs of Algeria. Gladys Amfobea’s 56th minute strike was the only difference.

The second Group A fixture saw the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon battled back from a goal down to beat Les Aigles of Mali 2-1 at the same venue.

Aissata Traore opened the scoring for the Les Agles with a clever finish on 56th minutes, Meffoumetou Tcheno Claudine Falone hit back for the Lionesses on 71 minutes before Nchout Njoya Ajara sealed victory two minutes later.

Cameroon and Ghana head sit 1st and 2nd in Group A on 3 points each but the former have a superior goal difference. Algeria occupy the third spot with Mali licking their wounds in bottom place.

Ghana will take on Mali as Cameroon pit strength with Algeria in the second Group A matches at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday at 3:30Pm and 6:30Pm each.

On Sunday, COSAFA champions, South Africa got off to a flying start with a 1-0 win over defending champions in Group B’s opener at the Cape Coast Stadium.

Substitute Chrestinah Kglatana scored the only goal for Bayana Bayana late on in the game.

Zambia recorded the highest score of the competition following a 5-0 thumping of Equatorial Guinea at the same venue in the other fixture of Group B.

Rachael Kundananji’s double added to goals from Grace Chanda, Ireen Lungu and Mary Mwakapila earned the She-polopolo all full points.

Zambia top Group B with 3 points same with South Africa, but the former have superior goals. Nigeria lie third and Equatorial Guinea rock bottom with no point respectively.

Nigeria will rub shoulders with Zambia while South Africa come up against Equatorial Guinea on Wednesday at the same venue at 3:30Pm and 6:30Pm respectively.