BENGUELA: Egypt made a perfect start in their quest for an unprecedented third successive African Cup of Nations title by beating World Cup qualifier Nigeria 3-1 while Benin and Mozambique drew 2-2 on Tuesday.

Egypt produced an impressive comeback in overturning a one-goal deficit with scores by Emad Meteab, Ahmed Hassan and Mohammed Naguy. Having failed to qualify for the World Cup — losing to Algeria in a playoff — Egypt was wuthout key players but eager to impress in Angola, and outclassed a stubborn Nigeria. Egypt lead Group C with three points, Benin and Mozambique have one each, and Nigeria none.

In a much anticipated clash between two powerhouses of African football, Mohamed Zidan struck a powerful right-footed shot that Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama had to palm away in the 5th minute. World Cup qualifier Nigeria, looking to win their third title, took the lead in the 12th when striker Chinedu Obasi turned his defender on the right flank before beating Egypt goalkeeper Essam Al Hadary with a superb shot into the far corner.

Nigeria had another clear-cut chance in the 20th after defender Taye Taiwo found Kalu Uche in the box only for the striker to lift his shot over the bar. Zidan could have leveled the game three minutes later but his strike was just wide.

Egypt, who have won the biennial tournament a record six times but havn’t played in a World Cup since 1990, equalised after Meteab, taking advantage of some confusion in the Nigerian defense, collected a through ball from Hassan and rounded Enyeama just outside the box before shooting into an empty net.

Hassan then put the defending champions ahead with a 20-metre deflected drive into the top-right corner after being set up by Zidan in the 55th. Substitute Mohammed Naguy sealed the victory from a swift counterattack with a low shot in the 87th. “It was not an easy game,” Zidan said. “Nigeria have a strong side with experienced and known players. We were a goal down and came back strongly to win the game. We never gave up and we deserved the victory.”

In the other group game, Razak Omotoyossi converted

a 13th-minute penalty to put Benin ahead then Mozambique defender Khan scored into

his own net in the 19th to

double Benin’s lead. Lobo netted Mozambique’s second tournament goal since 1998 with

a header in the 29th off a

corner, and Fumo equalised from 10 metres in the 55th

after Djidonou needlessly came out of his area.