BENIN threw away a two-goal lead but still earned their first ever point at the African Nations Cup with a 2-2 draw against Mozambique.

Razak Omotoyossi opened the scoring with a 14th minute penalty before Dario Khan’s own-goal doubled the Squirrels advantage four minutes later.

But two clangers from Benin goalkeeper Yoann Djidonou allowed Almiro Lobo and Carlos Goncalves to draw Mozambique level.

Benin started the brighter and Muri Ogunbiyi saw his fourth minute shot blocked after Stephane Sessegnon’s short corner.

And Michel Dussuyer’s side took a deserved lead when Metz striker Omotoyossi dusted himself off after being felled by Mozambique keeper Rafael to drill his spot-kick straight down the middle of the goal.

Paris Saint-Germain playmaker Sessegnon was pulling the strings for Benin and was at the centre of their second, showing lovely footwork on the left to escape his marker and cross with Khan turning the ball into his own net.

Benin’s first appearance at the tournament came in 2004 and that was followed by qualification in 2008 but the West African nation lost every game on both occasions.

Mozambique had fared only slightly better prior to kick-off, their 1-1 draw with Tunisia in 1996 the only success from three appearances.

And it looked as though Benin were destined for the three points until Djidonou came wandering for a corner leaving Lobo to leap and head into an empty net.

Tico-Tico had an opportunity to draw Mozambique level five minutes before half-time but blazed over while Omotoyossi failed to convert after the break to restore Benin’s two-goal advantage.

And that miss proved costly 10 minutes later when Djidonou, who was forced to clear for a throw after needlessly coming out of his box, was caught out once again.

With Eugenio Bila taking a quick throw, the Mambas keeper was stuck in no man’s land when Momed Hadi crossed leaving Carlos Goncalves to fire home.

After Nigeria’s 3-1 defeat at the hands of Egypt, neither side, both underdogs in Group C, could afford to draw if they are to stand a realistic chance of progressing to the knockout stages.

Tico-Tico’s snapshot forced a fingertip save from Djidonou as Mozambique looked to seal the comeback while Rafael push Sessegnon’s header round the post with a fine save at the other end as the points were shared. (Eurosport)