Cameroon slumped to a surprising 1-0 defeat by Gabon in their Group D opener in another African Nations Cup upset yesterday.
None of the teams who have qualified for this year's World Cup has won a game yet, with Cameroon, Algeria and Nigeria losing their opening matches and Ivory Coast being held to a draw.
Ghana play their first game in the tournament tomorrow against Ivory Coast in Group B.
Cameroon, who pipped Gabon in the race to a World Cup spot last November by finishing ahead of their neighbours in African qualifying, take on Zambia and Gabon face Tunisia in the group's next match day on Sunday.
In a game featuring two French coaches, former international players Paul Le Guen and Alain Giresse, the Indomitable Lions got off to the better start.
In the eighth minute, Achille Emana saw off two defenders before firing a fine shot that was deflected on to his post by Gabon keeper Didier Ovono.
The 33-year-old Rigobert Song, who is taking part in a record-equalling eighth Nations Cup finals, looked his age nine minutes later when he let Roguy Meye find Daniel Cousin with a through ball.
The Hull City striker then coolly slotted home to open the scoring against the run of play.
Cameroon piled on the pressure with Geremi unleashing a powerful 25-metre drive parried away by Ovono.
Inter striker Samuel Eto'o, who is looking to set a new scoring record at a single Nations Cup, failed to live up to expectations and was barely a threat to the Gabon defence.
Cameroon coach Le Guen replaced midfielder Landry Nguemo with forward Somen Tchoyi at half-time but the substitution did not pay off.
Geremi again found Ovono on his way two minutes from time when his powerful free-kick was tipped over the bar by the Gabon keeper.
Tunisia held
Tunisia, the 2004 Africa champions, were held to a 1-1 draw by spirited Zambia in the evening kick-off.
Jacob Mulenga put the Copper Bullets into an early lead only for Zouhaier Dhaouadhi to level for the north Africans before the break.
Given the spate of upsets Angola 2010 has already produced, it came as no surprise to see Tunisia being outplayed by Zambia for much of the match.
They went into a 19th minute lead when James Chamanga, who plays his club football in China, charged down the centre and found Mulenga on his right.
Zambia were worthy of the lead after almost constant pressure up to this point, and they continued to bely their underdog status with forays into Tunisian territory.
But, Tunisia were back on level terms though on 40 minutes when teenage striker Youssef Msakni tore the Zambian defence apart down the left, cutting the ball back to Dhaouadhi who slammed it into the roof of the net.
Results
Group D: Cameroon vs Gabon 0-1; Zambia vs Tunisia 1-1.
Playing today
Group A: 17.00 Algeria vs Mali; 19.30 Angola vs Malawi.
Standings
Group A: Malawi 3; Angola, Mali 1; Algeria 0.
Group B: Burkina Faso 1, Ivory Coast 1; Ghana 0.
Group C: Egypt 3; Benin, Mozambique 1; Nigeria 0.
Group D: Gabon 3; Tunisia, Zambia 1; Cameroon 0.