Ethiopia defeated Egypt, the six-time African champion, 2-0 in 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying against all odds.
Morocco, Nigeria, Mali, and Guinea Bissau all had to come from behind to win their games on Thursday.
Cameroon began their qualifying campaign with a narrow victory over Burundi, while Guinea defeated Malawi late in the game.
Lesotho held 2023 hosts Ivory Coast to a scoreless draw to earn their first point of the qualifiers.
Egypt was defeated 2-0 by Ethiopia in Group D, despite the absence of injured captain Mohamed Salah. Dawa Hotessa gave Ethiopia the lead after 21 minutes, but soon after he hit the crossbar and had a goal ruled out for offside.
Shimelis Bekele, who is based in Egypt, scored for the Ethiopians just before halftime.
Despite having more possession, the Pharaohs only managed three shots, one of which was on target, all of which came in the second half.
Morocco also scored a late winner in Group K, coming from behind to defeat visiting South Africa 2-1.
Lyle Foster, who lives in Belgium, gave South Africa an early lead in Rabat by controlling a long ball over the top from debutant Sphephelo Sithole and firing home past Yassine ‘Bono’ Bounou.
Morocco dominated the rest of the first half, with only some fine saves from Bafana Bafana goalkeeper and captain Ronwen Williams keeping the score at 1-0 at the break.
The Atlas Lions’ pressure was finally rewarded in the 51st minute, when Sevilla forward Youssef En Nesyri equalised.
South Africa looked like they would hold on for a share of the spoils until the 88th minute when Ayoub El Kaabi found a way past Williams for the winner.
This was the first game in Group K, which has been reduced to three teams, with two to qualify for the 2023 finals, after Zimbabwe were ruled out of the campaign as they serve a ban from global football.
