The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations dished up a pulsating opening day with co-hosts Equatorial Guinea bagging their $1 million bonus and star-studded Senegal falling to Zambia 1-2.

Saturday's double header from Bata was kicked off by Equatorial Guinea, sharing the hosting honours with neighbours Gabon, against Libya.

The Group A game was heading for a goalless stalemate until former Real Madrid Javier Balboa broke the deadlock with three minutes on the clock to send the home fans wild.

Equatorial Guinea swelled their bank accounts after picking up the $1 million bonus offered by a son of the country's president.