Sofiane Boufal scored on 83 minutes to earn Morocco a 1-0 win over Ghana in Yaounde on Monday after the first clash of titans in the Africa Cup of Nations.

After a cagey, foul-riddled start Partey came close on 32 minutes with his angled free kick going just over the crossbar.

This close shave was a signal for both teams to show more urgency in front of a small crowd and Saiss got his head to a free kick in a crowded goalmouth – only to see it fly over the target.

Ghanaian hearts pumped faster just before half time when a solo run by Joseph Paintsil offered hope of an opening goal, but his finish was embarrassing, his shot sent well wide.

Paintsil threatened again early in the second half with a lengthy dribble only to pass poorly on the edge of the box and Morocco breathed a sigh of relief.

Andre Ayew, elder brother of Jordan and son of Abedi, attempted a volley off a free kick but, instead of a spectacular goal, the ball flew wide.

Having let the Black Stars down twice, Paintsil thought he had made amends by firing goalwards with 18 minutes remaining only to be denied by a brilliant one-hand save from Yassine Bounou.

In Group B, Guinea edged Malawi 1-0 through a 35th-minute goal from Issiaga Sylla in the western city of Bafoussam to share first place with Senegal.

Left back Sylla scored from close range after a long cross-field pass found Jose Kante, who pushed the ball into the six-yard box.

In the final game on Monday, Aaron Boupendza stepped up in the absence of Covid-stricken Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to earn Gabon a 1-0 victory over Afcon debutants Comoros.

Arsenal star Aubameyang and midfielder Mario Lemina missed their team’s opening Group C fixture in Yaounde after testing positive for coronavirus last week.

Qatar-based Boupendza struck the lone goal on 16 minutes, smashing the ball high past Comoros goalkeeper Ali Ahamada from a tight angle after being played in by Louis Ameka Autchanga.

Comoros forward Moussa Djoumoi nearly equalised in the second half with a fierce long-range shot that Gabon goalkeeper Jean-Noel Amonome shovelled wide.

Gabon will be hoping Aubameyang can return in time to face Ghana in their second match on Friday, while Comoros have their work cut out with upcoming opponents Morocco ranked 104 places above them.