By Oluwashina Okeleji BBC Sport, Ughelli

The 1-1 draw was not what Cameroonian fans were hoping for

Ghana moved to the top of Group B at the African Women's Championship in Nigeria with a 1-0 win over Mali, after Cameroon and the DR Congo could only battle out a 1-1 draw.

A counter-attack lead to Tahiru Rumanatu scoring the only goal of the game in Oghara in the 56th minute to give Ghana the win in their opening game at the tournament.

Mali looked impressive as Ghana struggled without sveral of their key players, who have not been released by their clubs in the USA.

Earlier in the day Cameroon, the 2004 runners-up, were held to a 1-1 draw by ten-man DR Congo in Ughelli.

The Indomitable Lionesses shot ahead in the first ten seconds of the Group B game through Ngono Madeleine, who capitalized on defensive lapses to stun the bewildered Congolese.

DR Congo fought back gamely against the 2004 runners-up and Zonga Francine was unlucky as her 30th-minute strike hit the upright.

Yet their resilience paid off in the 57th minute as Kisita Milandu fired in a free-kick which sailed past Cameroon goalkeeper Nguele Valentine.

The equaliser sent the mammoth Ughelli crowd into raptures, with the fans cheering every Congolese move.

Although Kuyangisa Odille was sent off after 75 minutes for a rash tackle on Mekongo Cecille, DR Congo gave a spirited display to share the points.

"It's a terrible thing because the red card was not right," DRC coach Mira-Konga told BBC Sport.

"We are satisfied with the result because no one gave us a chance against the Cameroonians."

The water-logged pitch, a result of torrential rainfall in Ughelli, distorted the game, with the players struggling to put their passes together in this group B encounter.