Cameroon began the defence of their Africa Cup of Nations crown with victory over Guinea-Bissau in Group F.
Yaya Banana opened the scoring for the Unconquerable
Lions, heading low into the net from Karl Toko Ekambi's cross.
Stephane Bahoken capitalized on a defensive
mix-up three minutes later to seal the points for Clarence Seedorf's side.
Cameroon's tournament preparations were
disrupted by a row over bonuses, with the Indomitable Lions squad staging a
sit-in protest before departing for Egypt.
The five-time winners started slowly in
Ismailia but grew into the game as the first half progressed, spurning several
good opportunities to break the deadlock before the interval.
Christian Bassogog twice failed to hit the
target from good positions, while Fulham midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa
sidefooted wide from Bassogog's pass.
Full-back Joyskim Dawa Tchakonte and captain
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting both forced fine saves out of Guinea-Bissau goalkeeper
Jonas Mendes, before quick-fire goals from Banana and Bahoken secured the win.
Piqueti went closest for Guinea-Bissau,
heading against the post from Nadjack's delivery.
Cameroon are next in action against fellow
tournament favourites Ghana on Saturday (18:00 BST), while Guinea-Bissau take
on Benin later that day (21:00 BST).
Analysis
This was a solid start from the defending champions,
who took a while to get into their stride, helped by Guinea-Bissau running out
of steam a little in the second half.
That was perhaps unsurprising after
Guinea-Bissau - taking on the five-time champions in only their second finals
appearance - impressed when holding their own in the first half, albeit helped
by some wayward finishing from the champions.
That was a theme of the game as the
Indomitable Lions missed chance after chance - but two goals in three minutes
changed their fortunes (the second fortuitously falling their way) - as they
slowly went up the gears.
Surprise champions in 2017 after several
big-name players missed the tournament, Cameroon have been bolstered by the
return of Ajax's Andre Onana and Paris St-Germain's Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting -
but opponents will have noticed some defensive lapses which Guinea-Bissau
failed to exploit.
Source: BBC