Africa’s quest for glory at the Brazil 2014 World Cup has gotten off to a poor start, with Cameroon losing by a lone goal to Mexico in the second match of Group A played at the Arena das Dunas in Natal.

The Indomitable Lions were outclassed in the match, just concluded, and the Mexicans got their deserved victory with Oribe Peralta’s 61^st minute strike. The margin would have been wider if the referee did not annul two earlier goals by Giovani.

The victory, the first over an African team by Mexico at the World Cup, sees Mexico second on the group table behind hosts Brazil, who beat Croatia 3-1 in the tournament’s opening game last night.

Ivory Coast is the next African team to taste action – against Japan in Group C on Sunday at Arena Pernambuco, Recife, while Nigeria’s Super Eagles will kick off their campaign against Iran in Group F on Monday (June 16) against Iran at 9pm.

•Photo shows Mexico's Peralta celebrating his winning goal against Cameroon . . . this evening at the Arena das Dunas in Natal, Brazil.