Kbuogueu Leopold of Cameroon, the current African draughts champion and 16 in the world ranking was on Tuesday contain by Gambia's Sheikh Njie who managed to secure a draw against him the opening match of the African draughts confederation championship and draughts world cup qualifiers currently under way at the Paradise Suite.

While the Gambian champion, Sulayman Norman lost his first game to Makodou Njie of Senegal.

Sulayman Bah of Mali also triumphed over Abdou Ceesay of the Gambia. The Senegalese Njaga Samba whitewashed Burkina Faso's Adama Kone.

Musa Camara of Guinea Conakry defeated Frank Zziwa of Uganda who is making his first appearance in a major international championship.

Sadibou Drammeh of Mali outclassed Jean Marc Ndjofang of Cameroon.

Speaking to journalists, Sheikh Njie expressed his delight to secure a draw against the African champion. "I have always been looking forward to play with grand masters so that I can learn from them. I am focusing on my games to make the Gambia qualify for the world cup. I am definitely working hard and that is my mission in the championship."

Sulayman Norman said, "I could have won or draw the game, but because of minor errors, he defeated me. He was four times African champion and a professional player based in Belgium."

He expressed confidence that come the final day; he will be among the nine players to represent Africa in the world cup.

Frank Zziwa of Uganda who lost to Musa Camara also believed that the race is still wide open. He said that in draught competitions, if you make a mistake you hardly recover that in the game hence that's where opponents capitalize on. He is hopeful to qualify to Brazil even though this tournament is his first major outing. The matches continue tomorrow at three O'clock. The world cup will be held in October in Brazil.