( dpa ) - Defending champions Egypt got their title defence off to a fantastic start with an emphatic 4-2 victory against Cameroon in a Group C game played in Kumasi on Tuesday.
The goals for the North Africans were scored by Mohamed Zidan and Hosni Abd Rabou, while Samuel Eto'o struck twice for the Indomitable Lions.
Egypt's first half display was by far the best performance at this year's competition and clinical finishing allowed them to go into the change rooms three goals up.
The Pharaohs opened the scoring in the 15th minute through Hosni, who converted from the spot after Andre Bikey was adjudged to have handled the ball.
After scoring the Ismaili midfielder was ordered to retake his penalty having hesitated in the run-up to the first attempt. He made no mistake again the second time around.
SC Hamburg player Zidan doubled his side's lead in the 17th minute after a brilliant one-two with Emad Moteab saw the Bundesliga player bearing down on Idriss Kameni before coolly slotting past the Cameroon goalkeeper.
Zidan's second goal in first half-injury time came out of nothing. Egyptian goalkeeper Essam Al-Hadari played a speculative shot into the area, which Cameroon captain Rigobert Song headed to the feet of Zidan, who did well to control the ball before unleashing a powerful shot from outside the area.
Cameroonian coach Otto Pfister introduced three new players at half-time and was almost immediately rewarded for his bravery as Geremi was allowed to run down the flank before finding the head of Barcelona superstar Samuel Eto'o, who had no problems finishing.
Any chance of Cameroon coming back into the match were killed-off in the 82nd minute when a long-range effort from Hosni gave Kameni no chance.
Eto'o pulled another back for Cameroon in injury time with a converted penalty after an Egyptian defender had fouled in the area.
Zambia and Sudan met later Tuesday in the other group match.