The TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2027 qualifying group stage got underway on Thursday. The qualifiers, involving 48 teams across 12 groups, will determine the sides joining co-hosts Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda at the 2027 finals.
Thursday’s games also marked the start of new cycles for several teams, including Cote d’Ivoire under returning coach Hervé Renard and Tunisia under Mouine Chaâbani.
Zimbabwe produce stunning comeback as Cameroon and Cote d’Ivoire open with wins
The results gave Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire and Zimbabwe maximum points from their opening fixtures, while Uganda showed resilience against one of North Africa’s traditionally strongest national teams.
Cote d’Ivoire began their qualifying campaign with a deserved 2-0 victory over Ghana at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké. Below are the full results:
Cote d’Ivoire 2-0 Ghana
Malick Yalcouyé, one of eight newcomers named by returning coach Hervé Renard, opened the scoring in the 44th minute after being supplied by Franck Kessié, before Kessié doubled the advantage from the penalty spot in the 58th minute.
The result was not entirely unexpected given the Black Stars arrived without several of their most influential players.
Mohammed Kudus, Thomas Partey, Antoine Semenyo and Jordan Ayew were all unavailable, leaving coach Carlos Queiroz with a significantly weakened side for one of the most demanding away fixtures in African football.
Ghana’s starting attack featured Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Ernest Nuamah and Brandon Thomas-Asante, while Alexander Djiku captained the side.
Cote d’Ivoire, meanwhile, fielded an experienced spine including Kessié, Ibrahim Sangaré, Ousmane Diomandé, Evan Ndicka and Nicolas Pépé.
The win gave Renard an ideal start to his second spell in charge of the Elephants.
Sierra Leone 2-3 Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe produced the comeback of the night by overturning a 2-0 half-time deficit to beat Sierra Leone 3-2.
Sierra Leone appeared in complete control after Alie Conteh put them ahead after seven minutes before Sallieu Tarawallie doubled the advantage in the 27th minute.
Zimbabwe’s response after the interval was emphatic. Marshall Munetsi pulled one back in the 72nd minute before Tawanda Chirewa levelled four minutes later, transforming a match that had looked beyond the Warriors at half-time. Munetsi then completed an extraordinary turnaround with his second goal two minutes from the end of normal time to give Zimbabwe all three points.
Cameroon 3-1 Comoros
Cameroon made a strong start to their campaign with a convincing 3-1 victory over Comoros in Garoua. David Ningo gave the Indomitable Lions the lead in the 39th minute before Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo doubled the advantage shortly after the restart.
Comoros responded almost immediately through Warmed Omari in the 51st minute to briefly threaten a comeback. But Cameroon remained in control and Danny Namaso restored their two-goal cushion in the 81st minute to secure the points.
The result represented an encouraging opening for a Cameroon side seeking to reassert itself among Africa’s leading national teams after reaching the quarter-finals of the most recent AFCON. Mbeumo again underlined his importance to the Indomitable Lions, adding another international goal after establishing himself as one of their main attacking threats.
Cameroon entered the match as favourites and delivered the type of composed home performance required at the start of a demanding qualifying campaign.
Tunisia 1-1 Uganda
Uganda produced one of the evening’s notable results by holding Tunisia to a 1-1 draw in Radès.
Tunisia appeared set for a winning start when Adem Arous put the hosts ahead in the 12th minute, giving new coach Mouine Chaâbani an early advantage in his first competitive match in charge.
But Uganda stayed in the contest and were rewarded in the 68th minute when Rogers Mato scored the equaliser.
Uganda had already secured their place at the 2027 finals as co-hosts, but the qualifiers provide competitive matches to test and develop the squad ahead of the tournament.
DR Congo make home advantage count
DR Congo began their Group E campaign with a controlled 2-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea, with Chancel Mbemba and Yoane Wissa finding the net. The hosts needed only four minutes to take the lead. Mbemba rose to meet Arthur Masuaku’s delivery from a corner and headed the ball beyond Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper Jesús Owono.
Equatorial Guinea looked for a response and created opportunities as the first half progressed, but DR Congo maintained their advantage into the interval.
The visitors tested Matthieu Epolo early in the second half, with Saúl Coco forcing a save from distance, while DR Congo continued to threaten through their attacking players. Owono then denied Nathanaël Mbuku with a header as the hosts pressed for a second.
The decisive moment arrived in the 72nd minute. Yoane Wissa collected the ball inside the area and finished into the bottom corner to double DR Congo’s advantage.
Equatorial Guinea continued to push in the closing stages, but Epolo produced a late save to deny Loren Zúñiga and preserve his clean sheet as DR Congo opened their qualifying campaign with three points.
Mauritania overcome Central African Republic
In Group F, Mauritania also began their campaign with a victory, beating Central African Republic 3-1.
Aboubakary Koïta opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Central African Republic responded to level the contest through Goduine Koyalipou. Mauritania regained the lead through Dawda Camara before Mamadou Diallo added a third, giving the hosts a two-goal cushion and securing all three points.
The result gives Mauritania an early advantage in Group F ahead of their next qualifier, with Central African Republic set to look for a response when the two teams continue their qualifying campaigns.
Libya fight back to earn point
There was late drama in Group H, where Libya recovered from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 with Botswana. Botswana took control of the match through Tumisang Orebonye, who struck twice to put the visitors in a commanding position.
Libya responded after falling two goals behind, with Maruwan Alhibeeshi reducing the deficit and giving the hosts renewed hope of salvaging something from the contest. That hope was realised in stoppage time when Libya were awarded a penalty. Ezoo El Mariamy stepped up and converted to make it 2-2, completing a late comeback and ensuring the two sides shared the points.
The draw leaves both teams with a point from their opening Group H fixture, while Libya will take confidence from the manner of their recovery after appearing destined for defeat.
Namibia make winning start to qualification campaign
Namibia have made a winning start to their qualification campaign for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) PAMOJA 2027 with a 1-0 Group G victory over Congo in Gaborone, Botswana, on Thursday.
The only goal of the game was scored by South Africa-based Bethuel Muzeu in the 47th minute as he headed his side in front. Namibia enjoyed the lion’s share of possession, but Congo had their chances, although they were wayward in their shooting.
Riaan Hanamub was excellent for the hosts in the full-back position and made several rampaging runs forward.
Namibia are hoping for a return to the continental finals when they are played in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania from 19 June to 17 July next year. They last played at the 2023 tournament in Côte d’Ivoire, while Congo have not qualified since 2015.
SOURCE: CAF ONLINE
