Mali defeated South Africa in the opener of the Africa U20 Championship

Holders Ghana got off to a bad start at the African Youth Championship (AYC) when they were defeated 2-1 by arch rivals Nigeria on Monday in South Africa.

Innocent Nwofor Uche scored both goals for the Flying Eagles in Group B to secure their first ever win over the Black Satellites.

The Enugu Rangers attacker put Nigeria in the lead in the 17th minute after controlling a pass from Abdul Jeleel Ajagun before firing past goalkeeper James Acheampong.

Ghana restored parity through lanky striker Kwame Nsor in the 32nd minute as he rose highest to power a header beyond goalkeeper Paul Danjuma.

Nwafor sealed the victory with only eight minutes remaining as his mistimed strike managed to squirm under goalkeeper Acheampong to give the Flying Eagles a bright start in the tournament.

The victory was Nigeria's first over Ghana at the AYC as they Black Satellites have won all their three previous encounters with their west African rivals in the tournament.

Ghana had defeated Nigeria 1-0 and 4-1 in the group stage of the 1993 and 2001 tournaments respectively and the Black Satellites beat the Flying Eagles in the final of the 1999 tourney.

Meanwhile, Cameroon beat Gambia 1-0 in the group's other game in Johannesburg on Monday.

Coton Sport youngster Edgar Sally scored on the only goal of the game on the stroke of half-time.

Nigeria will be hoping to beat Cameroon in their next game on Thursday to keep alive their hopes of reaching the last four.

Ghana will revive their chances if they win their next group game with Gambia in Thursday's other game.

The four semi-finalists of the tournament will qualify for the Under-20 World Cup takes place in Colombia in July and August this year.

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