Setting the home nation on their way was a 21-15, 21-10 mixed doubles victory for Enejoh Abah and Peace Orji against Bongani von Badenstein and Michelle Butler-Emmett at Alfred Diete Spiff Civic Centre.

In the men's singles there was success for Anuoluwapo Juwon Opeyori, who beat Ruan Snyman 21-12, 21-14, while in the women's singles Dorcas Ajoke Adesokan saw off Johanita Scholtz 21-13, 21-15.

Opeyori and Godwin Olofua overcame Von Badenstein and Jared Elliot 21-16, 21-17 in the men’s doubles before Uchechukwu Deborah Ukeh and Adesokan completed the rout with a 21-19, 21-14 win over Elme De Villiers and Butler-Emmett.

"The opening game against South Africa went fine and our strategy is to take each game as it come," Nigeria’s assistant coach George Shitta told The Nation.

"Our desire is to win championships by picking all the gold medals at stake.

"We hope more fans will turn up tomorrow to cheer the Nigerian team to victory."

There were also 5-0 wins today for Algeria against Togo, Ghana against Ivory Coast, Mauritius against Benin and Egypt against Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The team event is due to last until Thursday (April 25), when the finals will be held.

An individual competition will start on Friday (April 26), with the finals on Sunday (April 28).