The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers got off to an eventful start on Thursday, with Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Mauritania, Namibia, Cameroon and Zimbabwe collecting maximum points, while Libya staged a dramatic late recovery against Botswana.
Eight matches were decided across Groups C, E, F, G and H, producing 25 goals as the race for places at the finals in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda began. The top two teams qualify from most groups, while only one additional team will progress from each group containing one of the three co-hosts.
The headline fixture in Group C saw Côte d’Ivoire defeat Ghana 2-0 in Bouaké, giving returning coach Hervé Renard a winning start to his second spell with the Elephants.
Malick Yalcouyé broke the deadlock in the 44th minute before Franck Kessié doubled the advantage in the 58th minute. Ghana could not find a response as the Ivorians opened their campaign with three points.
There was an extraordinary turnaround in Group E, where Zimbabwe came from two goals down to beat Sierra Leone 3-2.
Alie Conteh struck after only seven minutes and Sallieu Tarawallie added another in the 27th minute to leave Sierra Leone 2-0 ahead. Zimbabwe, however, transformed the contest after the interval. Marshall Munetsi reduced the deficit in the 72nd minute, Tawanda Chirewa equalised four minutes later before Munetsi struck again in the 88th minute to complete the comeback.
Zimbabwe had 16 attempts to Sierra Leone’s nine and enjoyed almost 56 per cent possession.
In the other Group E fixture, DR Congo defeated Equatorial Guinea 2-0 in Kinshasa. Captain Chancel Mbemba needed just four minutes to put the Leopards ahead, heading home Arthur Masuaku’s corner, before Yoane Wissa sealed the victory in the 72nd minute.
Mauritania also made an impressive start with a 3-1 victory over Central African Republic in Group F.
Aboubakary Koïta converted a penalty in the 31st minute before Goduine Koyalipou equalised three minutes after the restart. Demba Camara restored Mauritania’s advantage in the 69th minute and Mamadou Diallo completed the scoring in the 89th.
Mauritania controlled 59 per cent of possession and registered 19 attempts compared with Central African Republic’s 15.
In Group G, Namibia edged Congo 1-0, with Bethuel Muzeu heading in the only goal two minutes after half-time. Namibia enjoyed more possession and secured a clean sheet to begin their qualification bid with maximum points.
Cameroon joined Namibia on three points after beating Comoros 3-1. David Ningo opened the scoring in the 39th minute before Bryan Mbeumo made it 2-0 three minutes after the interval. Warmed Omari pulled one back for Comoros in the 51st minute, but Danny Namaso restored Cameroon’s two-goal advantage in the 81st minute.
Group H produced two draws. Libya fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Botswana after Tumisang Orebonye scored twice for the visitors in the 30th and 42nd minutes.
Botswana remained two goals ahead until the closing stages, when Maruwan Alhibeeshi pulled one back in the 87th minute. Ezoo El Mariamy then converted a penalty in the sixth minute of added time to rescue a point for Libya.
Tunisia and Uganda also shared the points in a 1-1 draw. Adem Arous gave Tunisia a 12th-minute lead, but Rogers Mato struck in the 68th minute to earn the Cranes a point. Uganda are already assured of their place at AFCON 2027 as co-hosts, meaning only the highest-ranked non-host nation in Group H will join them at the finals.
Nigeria will begin their Group L campaign against Madagascar in Uyo on Friday.
