AFCON 2027 qualifying: Aliou Cisse frustrates Salah as Angola hold Egypt

Angola held Egypt to a goalless draw at the Cairo International Stadium as Aliou Cisse’s side made a positive start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

Egypt, led by Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, were unable to break down an Angola team that secured a valuable point away from home. The result leaves the Palancas Negras second in Group B.

Angola will play Malawi at home on 6 October in their next qualifying fixture.

Elsewhere, Mali began the Anthony Da Silva era with a convincing 3-1 victory over Cape Verde in Bamako.

Mali overcome Cape Verde

Playing at the 26 March Stadium, Mali took the lead after only five minutes through Ange Martial Tia.

Cape Verde, who reached the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup, responded five minutes later when Sidny Lopes Cabral equalised in the 10th minute.

Nene Dorgeles then took control of the match, scoring twice to put the Eagles firmly in command. His first goal came in the 39th minute before he added a second six minutes after the interval.

The victory puts Mali level with Rwanda at the top of Group K. Hamari Traore and his team will face Liberia on Tuesday.

Burkina Faso and Benin share four goals

Burkina Faso and Benin played out a 1-1 draw in Ouagadougou in Group F.

The hosts went ahead at the Stade du 4 aout when Lassina Traore converted a penalty in the 20th minute.

Benin earned a share of the points when Aiyegun Tosin scored from the second penalty of the match in the 68th minute.

The result leaves Burkina Faso second and Benin third in the group. Benin’s next opponents will be Mauritania, while Burkina Faso will meet the Central African Republic.