Qualifying for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon began this weekend with a 10-goal rush as Libya scored five and Madagascar three when winning.

Libya trounced the Seychelles 5-1 in a Group E match moved from Tripoli to Egyptian capital Cairo for security reasons.

Madagascar stretched a perfect run to six matches since French coach Nicolas Dupuis took charge this year by winning a Group A clash with Sudan 3-1 in Al Obeid.

Neither Libya nor Madagascar are considered likely qualifiers for the next edition of the biennial 16-nation African football showcase.

The Libyans, prevented from playing at home because of post Moamer Kadhafi-era violence, are in the same mini-league as higher-ranked Nigeria and South Africa.

For Madagascar to make a first Cup of Nations finals appearance, they will have to finish above star-stacked Senegal or be one of the best three runners-up.

France-based captain Faneva Andriatsima netted twice and Carolus Andriamahitsinoro once for Madagascar, who led 1-0 at halftime. Atha Eltahier was the Sudanese scorer.

Goals from Anis Saltou, Ahmad Ben Ali and Hamdou Elhouni gave Libya a 3-0 advantage by the break.

Abdussalam Zaebiaa and Muaid Ellafi extended the lead to five goals before Kelvin Coralie claimed a last-minute consolation for the Seychellois.

South Africa Stun Nigeria In Uyo

Bafana Bafana claimed their first competitive victory over Nigeria as they won 2-0 in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Uyo on Saturday evening.

Bafana Bafana, in their first match under new coach Stuart Baxter, put in a superb display marked by a resilient defence and speed on the counter attack, with second-half goals from Tokelo Rantie and Percy Tau taking them to a famous victory at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.

Nigeria enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the early stages and they created the first clear chance in the 11th minute when Wilfred Ndidi picked up on a loose ball on the edge of the box and sent a left-footed volley off target.

Midway through the first half the Super Eagles really should have claimed the lead, with Kelechi Iheanacho providing a low pass across the face of goal to find Oghenekaro Etebo, but his effort flashed wide of the far post.

South Africa settled into the match, but struggled to pose much of an attacking threat. However, they almost broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute when Nigeria goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi dropped Tebogo Langerman’s cross and Themba Zwane reacted quickly to the loose ball, only to hit the upright with his toe-poked shot.

Bafana Bafana found themselves defending for most of the early stages in the second half, but on 54 minutes they claimed the lead through Tokelo Rantie, who met Ramahlwe Mphahlele’s cross and beat Akepyi at his near post with a downward header.

With 20 minutes of regulation time remaining the visitors should have doubled their lead, with a counter attack opening up a chance for Zwane, who again beat Akpeyi only to see his effort rebound off the near post.

On 78 minutes Nigeria almost forced an equaliser as Ahmed Musa and Etebo threatened in the penalty area and South Africa needed Dean Furman to make a desperate clearance from almost under his own crossbar.

Yet the visitors’ second goal arrived in the 81st minute, with Keagan Dolly providing a perfectly weighted cross for substitute Percy Tau, who sprinted clear, rounded Akpeyi and turned the ball into an empty net to end the game as a contest.

Mauritania Edge Out Botswana

Mauritania defeated Botswana 1-0 in the first 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification Group I match at the Francistown Stadium in Botswana on Saturday afternoon.

The win takes Les Mourabitones to the top of Group I standings with three points, while the Zebras are rooted at the bottom with zero points.

The Zebras started the match brightly as they looked to break the deadlock against Les Mourabitones.

However, the Mauritania defence, which was led by Bakary N'Diaye, looked solid most of the time.

Botswana nearly took the lead just before the half hour mark from a free-kick in a promising area.

But Zebras captain Mogakolodi Ngele hit the crossbar with Mauritania goalkeeper Brahim Souleymane beaten.

Nevertheless, Les Mourabitones were able to contain the Zebras and the score was 0-0 during the halftime break.

Botswana coach Peter Butler made a change nine minutes into the second half - pulling out Omaatla Kebatho for Thabang Sesinyi.

The hosts had a glorious opportunity to score through South Africa-based Ngele after the hour-mark.

But the Bidvest Wits forward, who is on-loan from Mamelodi Sundowns, missed the target.

The visitors then grew in confidence as they pushed for a late goal with time running out on the clock.

Mohamed Abdellahi proved to be Les Mourabitones' hero in the 78th minute as he beat Botswana goalkeeper Mwampule Masule to seal Mauritania's 1-0 win.

Zambia Frustrated On Home Soil

Mozambique made history at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on Saturday afternoon as they defeated Zambia 1-0 in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, to move top of Group K.

Stanley Ratifo's 90th-minute strike helped the Mambas to a first win over their southern African rivals, as Zambia's hopes of making a return to Africa's premier cup tournament suffered a massive blow.

The hosts dominated the early exchanges with Stophila Sunzu seeing his early effort flash over the crossbar in the 17th minute.

Fwayo Tembo then picked out Rainford Kalaba inside the area, but the Zambian captain was unable to guide his header attempt on target from close range.

Tembo then took matters into his own hands in the 23rd minute as his rasping effort flew inches wide of Jaime Timana's goal.

The Mambas' first chance fell to the experienced Elias Pelembe in the 27th minute, but despite being unmarked inside the area, the Bidvest Wits winger was unable to see his shot on target.

Zambia came out firing following the interval and were unlucky not to take the lead in the 55th minute as Kondwani Mtonga guided his attempt onto the woodwork.

The lucky escape sparked the visitors into life with the Mambas' wingers constantly getting the better of their Zambia counterparts - Kennedy Mweene alert to the danger.

The Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper, though, will suffer backlash as he failed to keep out Ratifo's shot from an acute angle in the 90th minute of the clash, the German-based forward sneaking in at the near post to silence the home fans.