Nigeria rally as Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign opens
Nigeria, Morocco, Algeria, Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire were among the teams to win on the opening matchday of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, according to the Confederation of African Football. Guinea-Bissau, Zimbabwe and Sudan also recorded notable victories, while several contenders dropped points in draws.
Nigeria opened their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a comeback victory, while several of the continent’s leading teams also began with wins, according to the Confederation of African Football. The Super Eagles recovered from conceding to Madagascar in Group L. Ehsan Kari gave Madagascar a 16th-minute lead, but George Ilenikhena equalised in first-half stoppage time.
Substitute Moses Usor then scored in the 65th minute to secure a 2-1 win for Nigeria. Nigeria moved level on three points with Guinea-Bissau, who produced one of the round’s notable results by beating Tanzania 2-0 away. Franculino Djú and Mama Baldé scored for Guinea-Bissau.
Tanzania are co-hosts and are already guaranteed a place at the finals, leaving the other Group L teams competing for the remaining qualifying position. Zimbabwe also overturned a two-goal deficit to defeat Sierra Leone 3-2. Alie Conteh and Sallieu Tarawallie put Sierra Leone ahead, before Marshall Munetsi and Tawanda Chirewa brought Zimbabwe level.
Munetsi scored again in the 88th minute to complete the comeback. Egypt were held to a goalless draw at home by Angola after Mostafa Zico’s first-half goal was disallowed for offside. Senegal, in Patrick Vieira’s first competitive match as coach, drew 1-1 with Mozambique.
Nicolas Jackson scored for Senegal before Geny Catamo equalised. Côte d’Ivoire defeated Ghana 2-0 in Hervé Renard’s first match of his second spell in charge. Morocco beat Gabon 2-0, while Algeria defeated Zambia 3-1.
Cameroon and Mauritania each won 3-1, against Comoros and the Central African Republic respectively. Rwanda and Mali also won 3-1, defeating Liberia and Cape Verde. South Africa beat Guinea 2-1 to lead Group D, while Kenya and Eritrea drew 1-1.
The next fixtures are scheduled to begin on September 28.
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