<p>Zambia's chances of emulating Egypt, Ghana and Cameroon as the only nations to retain the African Nations Cup did not look promising when they began their campaign with a stuttering 1-1 draw against Ethiopia on Monday. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Nigeria, seeking their third title and their first since 1994, will also have to improve after outsiders Burkina Faso snatched a dramatic 1-1 draw with the last kick of the game at the Mbombela Stadium. <br />Nigerian coach Stephen Keshi, whose side were reduced to 10 men when Efe Ambrose was sent off in the closing stages, was philosophical about the outcome. <br /><br />"I am going to let the players sleep on it. There is no point in blowing their heads off about it tonight (Monday)," he said. <br /><br />The Nigerians are likely to have nightmares, though, after allowing substitute Alain Traore to capitalise on some sloppy defending and fire in with three seconds of stoppage time remaining. <br /><br />Monday's results meant that five of the first six games in the tournament finished all-square, the only <br />exception being Mali's 1-0 win over Niger in Group B on Sunday. <br /><br />While title contenders such as Zambia, Ghana and Nigeria have been left frustrated after dropping points, the run of draws left Groups A, B and C wide open with each team still having two matches to play. <br />The first round of matches will be completed on Tuesday when Group D kicks off in Rustenburg with Ivory Coast meeting Togo and Tunisia playing Algeria. <br /><br />Ethiopia made a memorable return to the tournament following a 31-year absence by holding champions Zambia. Collins Mbesuma broke the deadlock with a well-struck left-foot half-volley on the stroke of halftime.<br />But the indefatigable Ethiopians got their reward when skipper Adane Girma lashed the equaliser home with a powerful shot that went in off the near post in the 65th minute.</p>
<p>Zambia's chances of emulating Egypt, Ghana and Cameroon as the only nations to retain the African Nations Cup did not look promising when they began their campaign with a stuttering 1-1 draw against Ethiopia on Monday. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Nigeria, seeking their third title and their first since 1994, will also have to improve after outsiders Burkina Faso snatched a dramatic 1-1 draw with the last kick of the game at the Mbombela Stadium. <br />Nigerian coach Stephen Keshi, whose side were reduced to 10 men when Efe Ambrose was sent off in the closing stages, was philosophical about the outcome. <br /><br />"I am going to let the players sleep on it. There is no point in blowing their heads off about it tonight (Monday)," he said. <br /><br />The Nigerians are likely to have nightmares, though, after allowing substitute Alain Traore to capitalise on some sloppy defending and fire in with three seconds of stoppage time remaining. <br /><br />Monday's results meant that five of the first six games in the tournament finished all-square, the only <br />exception being Mali's 1-0 win over Niger in Group B on Sunday. <br /><br />While title contenders such as Zambia, Ghana and Nigeria have been left frustrated after dropping points, the run of draws left Groups A, B and C wide open with each team still having two matches to play. <br />The first round of matches will be completed on Tuesday when Group D kicks off in Rustenburg with Ivory Coast meeting Togo and Tunisia playing Algeria. <br /><br />Ethiopia made a memorable return to the tournament following a 31-year absence by holding champions Zambia. Collins Mbesuma broke the deadlock with a well-struck left-foot half-volley on the stroke of halftime.<br />But the indefatigable Ethiopians got their reward when skipper Adane Girma lashed the equaliser home with a powerful shot that went in off the near post in the 65th minute.</p>