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Tunisia salvaged a 1-1 draw against an enterprising Zambia in their Group D opener at the African Cup of Nations on Wednesday. Zambia largely dominated the game and was rewarded by striker Jacob Mulenga�s goal in the 18th minute, but Zhoueir Dhaouadi slotted home against the run of the play five minutes before halftime. With Tunisia and Zambia securing a point each in the standings, Group D remained wide open after Gabon upset four-time African champion and World Cup qualifier Cameroon 1-0. �I hope we can knock Cameroon out of this tournament,� said Zambia�s French coach Herve Renard. �But it won�t be a battle of French coaches, it�s just Zambia against Cameroon.�Paul Le Guen, Cameroon�s coach, was Renard�s compatriot. Tunisia, coming off three consecutive losses in competitive matches, including one against Mozambique that put the team out of contention for the World Cup, started cautiously while Zambia had possession. Midfielder Rainford Kalaba eased his way into the box in the 9th minute and challenged Tunisia goalkeeper Aymen Mathlouthi with a strike that shaved the post. Failing to gain control of the game in the midfield, the Carthage Eagles were forced to try their luck from long range, and striker Dhaouadi launched the ball over the bar in the 15th. Zambia went ahead when James Chamanga served Jacob Mulenga in the box, and the striker beat Mathlouthi with a shot at the near post in the 18th. Tunisia, the 2004 champion, struggled until halftime but managed to level in the 40th following a swift move concluded by Dhaouadi, who struck the ball past Kennedy Mweene after being perfectly set up by Youssef Msakni�s back pass. �We played well,� said Tunisia�s Korbi Kaled. �We had a lot of chances. We will need to work harder so we can win the next game.� Dhaouadi�s goal gave Faouzi Benzarti�s team a boost as defender Yassine Mikari fired an angled low shot that hit the post just after halftime. However, the unheralded Zambians stayed in control and should have taken the lead when unmarked Kalaba wasted Emmanuel Mbola�s cross and missed his header from close range at the far post in the 71st. Mulenga struck a nice shot from a tight angle just wide in the 83rd before substitute Emmanuel Mayuka headed home in the 85th only to be flagged offside.