Debutants Madagascar produced the first shock of the African Nations Championship (Chan) in Algeria by defeating two-time runners-up Ghana, 2-1 in a chilly Constantine on Sunday. Goals by Solomampionona Razafindranaivo and Tokinantenaina Randriatsiferana after 10 and 61 minutes gave the Indian Ocean nation a two-goal advantage. Augustine Agyapong halved the deficit on 67 minutes, but persistent late pressure from the west Africans failed to deliver an equaliser in the group C opener.
Morocco was due to play Sudan in the first match of a double-header, but withdrew from the tournament after being refused permission to fly directly to Constantine. Monday will see the opening matches in two sections with Mali meeting Angola in group D, before Cameroon face Congo Brazzaville in group E. Both matches are in Oran.
While the Chan is restricted to footballers playing in their country of birth, matches carry full international status and results count toward the world rankings.
