By Amaechi Agbo

The long awaited 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON 2021 finally got underway on Sunday in Cameroon with two matches already decided on matchday 1.

Host nation, Cameroon and Burkina Faso were entangled in the opening match as Ethiopia and Cape Verde served up in the second match in Group A

Expectedly, many FIRSTS RECORDS were made ranging from first goal, penalty, yellow/red cards, win, among others.

Best Choice Sports takes a look at the firsts records in the tournament ahead of Matchday 2 fixtures later in the day.

1. Burkina Faso scored the first goal of the tournament with Gustavo Gangare cementing his name on the history book when he slotted in the first goal in the 24th minute of the match against Cameroon
2. Steeve Yago of Burkina Faso was the first player to receive a yellow card. He was booked in 38th seconds of the match
3. Burkina Faso conceded the first penalty in the competition on the 40th minute
4. Cameroon are the first team to be awarded a penalty and also scored in the 40th minute.
5. Cameroon are the first nation to be awarded two penalty kicks in the same match within five minutes and both goals were scored
6. Vincent Aboubakar, Cameroon captain, became the first player to score two penalty goals in the tournament.
7. Vincent Aboubakar also holds the record in the tournament as the first player to score a brace in the competition
8. Cameroon also became the first team to come from a goal down to win a match in the competition
9. Yared Baye of Ethiopia is the first player to be red carded in the tournament. He received his straight red card in the 12th minute of their match against Cape Verde.
10. Cape Verde is the first team to keep clean sheet in the tournament after their 1-0 win against Ethiopia