Senegal, Nigeria kick off with victories

Nicolas Jackson scored twice as much-fancied Senegal began their Africa Cup of Nations bid with a convincing 3-0 win over Botswana on Tuesday, while Nigeria's Super Eagles made harder work of their opening match against Tanzania before claiming a 2-1 victory.

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Tunisia's Mohamed Elias Achouri, No.7, celebrates scoring their third goal against Uganda.

(REUTERS)

Elsewhere there were also wins for the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tunisia as the first round of group matches continued in Morocco, often in torrential rain.

Senegal, champions in 2022, are perhaps the biggest threat to Morocco’s chances of winning the title on home soil and the Lions of Teranga made light work of Botswana in their Group D opener in Tangier.

Jackson, who is currently on loan at Bayern Munich from Chelsea, struck either side of halftime with Cherif Ndiaye completing the scoring late on.

It was a predictable outcome to the first match of the tournament for both teams as Senegal are 119 places above Botswana in the world rankings.

Heavy rain greeted the teams as they walked onto the pitch at the 75,000-seat stadium, the biggest by capacity of the nine being used in Morocco for the tournament.

Two-time African player of the year Sadio Mane, Iliman Ndiaye and Jackson all came close to breaking the deadlock for Senegal before the opener arrived on 40 minutes.