Johannesburg: Sans injured Liverpool goal poacher Mohamed Salah, a more fancied Egypt were held 1-1 by Kenya even as defending champions Algeria buried Zambia under a five-goal avalanche on Thursday.

As 2021 Africa Cup of Nations matchday one qualifying continued, debutant Mohammed Kudus clinched victory for Ghana over South Africa while Mali and Guinea ended 2-2 after four goals in 19 minutes.

In other matches, Comoros upset Togo, a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang-inspired Gabon held the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique were too strong for Rwanda.

Even without Salah, Egypt were expected to overcome traditional poor travellers Kenya at the vast 87,000-capacity Borg el Arab Stadium near Alexandria. But after starting anxiously with every player behind the ball, Kenya had chances to score before they gifted Egypt the lead three minutes before half-time in the Group G clash.

A back pass from Erick Ouma in the centre circle to goalkeeper Ian Otieno was too weak and Mahmoud Kahraba took advantage to tap into the net.

Kenya became increasingly assertive in the second half and deservedly levelled on 67 minutes through a goal that stemmed from another careless back pass. Michael Olunga was the beneficiary this time, firing into the corner of the net after an attempt by a teammate was blocked.

Algeria, who edged Senegal 1-0 in July to win the Cup of Nations a second time, finished strongly to humiliate 2012 champions Zambia 5-0 in Blida.

The surprisingly easy Group H victory extended the unbeaten run of the Desert Foxes to 17 matches since losing away to Benin last October.

Baghdad Bounedjah scored twice, with his first from a 68th-minute penalty giving Algeria a two-goal advantage.

Youcef Belaili, El Arbi Soudani and Bounedjah again netted during the final 15 minutes as the resistance of the Chipolopolo collapsed.

This was the widest winning margin of the 18 matchday one qualifiers played so far, surpassing the 4-0 hiding Sudan dished out to 10-man Sao Tome e Principe in Omdurman 24 hours earlier.

Ghana were impressive 2-0 Group C winners over South Africa in a Cape Coast showdown between former champions longing for a return of the good old days.

Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey thrilled a capacity crowd by scoring nine minutes before half-time and Kudus celebrated his first cap by netting on 80 minutes.

Aubameyang, who has scored eight Premier League goals this season, was held goalless in Kinshasa, but will have been thrilled after Gabon forced a 0-0 Group D draw with DR Congo.

Agence France-Presse