PALACE stars Jordan Ayew and Cheikhou Kouyate started their AFCON campaigns with Ghana and Senegal.
Ayew played 86 minutes for Ghana as they lost 1-0 to Morocco. The forward put in a decent shift but was unable to stop his side from succumbing to the loss.
An 83rd-minute strike from former Southampton winger Sofiane Boufal was enough to give Morocco the victory.
Ayew will be back in action on Friday as his side take on Gabon.
Kouyate had a better start to the competition with Senegal, who are the favourites to win the tournament.
The 32-year-old played the whole match in midfield and watched on as Liverpool's Sadio Mane netted a 96th-minute winning penalty against Zimbabwe.
Senegal and Kouyate play again on Friday against Guinea.
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Wilfried Zaha and the Ivory Coast will be in action tomorrow as they start their ACFON campaign against Equatorial Guinea.
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