Ndeye Awa Diakhaté opened the scoring at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, putting away a penalty after 39 minutes, while Nguenar Ndiaye made it two, five minutes after the break, dispelling a threat from a Uganda side who had more shots and possession.

This win puts Senegal above hosts Morocco on goal difference, who defeated Burkina Faso 1-0 yesterday in the tournament opener.

Two of the contenders to make the knockout stages, Cameroon and Zambia, laboured to a 0-0 draw in Group B at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca

Zambia defended well and had opportunities against the favourites, who have made every semi-final since 2002 and four finals in total.

In the late match in Group B in Casablanca, Tunisia were clinical, beating ten-woman Togo 4-1.

Within the first minute, Mariem Houij had given Tunisia the lead, setting up what was to come for the rest of the match.

Scoring after 17 seconds, it was the quickest in the competition's history.

Sabrine Ellouzi doubled her team’s advantage after 12 minutes, with Togo getting back into the game through Odette Gnintegma's penalty in the 22nd minute, the first for the nation in the history of the tournament.

That momentum was killed early in the second-half when Togolese defender Djankalé Omolatcho Mégam Ella was sent-off, after video assistant referee technology rescinded a yellow in favour for the harsher punishment in the 54th minute.

On the hour mark, Ellouzi got her second of the match and an own goal from Togo goalkeeper Amouklou Amé 20 minutes from time gave the winners their fourth and final goal.

Action is due to start in Group C in Rabat tomorrow with favourites and 11-time champions Nigeria playing South Africa and Burundi taking on Botswana.