Nigeria 2 Akide 38, 50
Ghana 2 Baidu 51, Okine 80
The last time these two teams met was two years ago in the final of the first African Women's Championships, hosted by Nigeria, and the home team ran out winners.
The Falcons proved too strong for the Ghanaians on that occasion when they registered a comfortable 2-0 victory to become the first nation to win the women's championship after soaking up a lot of pressure for most of the game.
However, things were different this time round as the defending champions took a much stronger stance from the word go when the teams clashed under extremely hot conditions in Tembisa on Sunday.
Playing in their traditional green and white outfits and spurred on by a handful of supporters draped in the Nigerian colours, the Falcons looked more focused and ready for battle and it was no surprise when they opened the scoring through their star player Mercy Akide in the 38th minute.
Akide, who was the leading goal scorer in the last championship, converted a penalty awarded to the Falcons after Kikelomo Ajayi was brought down inside the Ghanaian box.
It was again the lanky midfielder who increased Nigeria's lead five minutes into the second half when she took on a few defenders and hit the roof of the net to the delight of her countrymen in the stands as well as former Sundowns striker Raphael Chukwu in the media area.
However, their celebrations were cut short a minute after Akide scored her second when defender Elizabeth Baidu pulled one back for Ghana with a long range shot from outside the penalty box that beat the outstretched arms of Judith Chime.
Then the spotlight shifted to substitute Sheila Okine, who grabbed an equaliser for the Black Queens 10 minutes before the final whistle, spoiling the Nigerian party.
The midfielder was popular with the crowd and attracted cheers each time she came into contact with the ball. She unleashed a thunderous shot from outside the Nigerian penalty box that proved too strong for Chime to handle.
In the other group B match between Cameroon and Morocco at the Vosloorus Stadium, Cameroon jumped to the No 1 spot when they defeated the Moroccans 4-1 in a match watched by a handful of fans compared to Saturday's encounter between Banyana Banyana and Reunion, which pulled in a huge crowd to witness the host nation beat their opponents 3-0.
This means that South Africa will go into their next encounter against Uganda on Tuesday at Vosloorus with a two-point lead in group A following Uganda's 2-all draw with Zimbabwe on Saturday.
Also on Tuesday, immediately after Desiree Ellis's side tackle Uganda, Reunion will go all out to avoid an early exit against Zimbabwe.
Cameroon take on Ghana in Tembisa while Morocco will be looking for a better performance against the Nigerians at Vosloorus on Wednesday.

Nigeria: Judith Chime (Ann Chiejine 85); Yinka Kudaisi, Perpetua Nkwocha (Maureen Mmadu 70), Eberechi Opara, Kikelomo Ajayi; Stella Mbachu, Rita Nwadike (Olaitan Yusuf 8 , Gloria Usieta, Mercy Akide; Ifeanyi Chiejine; Florence Omagbemi

Ghana: Emunatu Sulemana; Patience Sackey, Rita Yeboah, Lydia Ankrah, Elizabeth Baidu; Mavis Mah Djang (Sheila Okine 65), Rosemary Konadu, Adjoa Boyor, Alberta Sackey; Memuna Darku, Ama Nana Gyamfuaa

Referee: Fatou Gaye (Senegal)
Assistants: Marieme Gueye (Senegal), Dias Capanda (Angola)
Yellow card: Patience Sackey 38

Group B On Sunday: Ghana 2 Nigeria 2
Scorers: Ghana - Elizabeth Baidu 52, Sheila Okine 80
Nigeria - Mercy Akide 40 penalty, 50 Dismissal - Stella Mbachu (Nigeria) 74
Halftime: 0-1. Attendance: 2,000

Cameroon 4 Morocco 1
Scorers: Cameroon - Lydienne Eko Njolle 17, Antoinette Anounga 67, Desire Enama Abbe 89, Bernadette Anong 90
Morocco - Nadia Maqdi 13
Halftime: 1-1. Attendance: 2,000

Standings P W D L F A Pts
Cameroon 1 1 0 0 4 1 3
Ghana 1 0 1 0 2 2 1
Nigeria 1 0 1 0 2 2 1
Morocco 1 0 0 1 1 4 0
Next matches: Cameroon v Ghana, Wednesday Morocco v Nigeria, Wednesday


Pictures from the Match
1. Picture 1
2. Picture 2



Group A:
On Saturday South Africa 3 Reunion 0
Scorers: Veronica Phewa 33, Desiree Ellis 55, Martha Malaku 69
Halftime: 1-0. Attendance: 5,000


Uganda 2 Zimbabwe 2
Scorers: Uganda - Alaisa Nakawagi 21, Robina Nakintu 30
Zimbabwe - Handekile Mathobela 26, Nomsa Tapfumamoyo 79
Halftime: 2-1. Attendance: 1,000

Standings P W D L F A Pts
South Africa 1 1 0 0 3 0 3
Uganda 1 0 1 0 2 2 1
Zimbabwe 1 0 1 0 2 2 1
Reunion 1 0 0 1 0 3 0

Next matches: South Africa v Uganda,
Tuesday Reunion v Zimbabwe, Tuesday