Senegal began their Africa Cup of Nations title defence with a 3-0 victory over 10-man Gambia helped by Lamine Camara's double in Group C on Monday, bringing an end to a sequence of surprise results at the tournament in the Ivory Coast.
After a shock-filled Sunday where the minnows had the upper hand over heavyweight opponents, Senegal restored faith in the form book as Pape Gueye scored early and Camara added two more to ensure victory in the opening Group C encounter.
Gueye put Senegal ahead in the fourth minute at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium, while 20-year-old Camara underlined his promise with a fine finish seven minutes after the break and a sublime second into the top corner four minutes from time.
In the second game in Group C, Cameroon came from behind to share the points with 10-man Guinea in a 1-1 stalemate.
Franck Magri equalised early in the second half after Guinea had taken a 10th minute lead through Mohamed Bayo but then had captain Francois Kamano sent off.
Cameroon were without Andre Onana in goal but he did arrive ahead of the game after featuring for Manchester United in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford.
Former champions Algeria conceded a second-half penalty to allow unfancied Angola to force a 1-1 draw in the opening Group D clash in Monday's late game.
It meant Algeria continued their winless streak at the finals since being crowned champions in 2019.
Baghdad Bounedjah put the Algerians ahead in the 19th minute with a well-taken goal but clumsy defending cost them when Nabil Bentaleb committed a foul and gave away a penalty, converted by Angola substitute Mabululu in the 68th minute.
Algeria have now failed to win in four matches at the Cup of Nations finals since lifting the trophy in Cairo.
They made a shocking attempt to retain the title at the last edition in Cameroon two years ago, going home early with one point from the group games and losing to tiny Equatorial Guinea.
