AFCON 2027 qualifiers: Matchday 1 group-by-group review as heavyweights make their mark

Nigeria, Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire, Algeria and Cameroon were among the continental heavyweights to open their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaigns with victories as Matchday 1 produced a mix of convincing wins, dramatic comebacks and important away results.

The opening round of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifiers also delivered setbacks for some of Africa’s most established nations.

Egypt were held to a goalless draw at home by Angola, while Senegal surrendered a lead in a 1-1 draw with Mozambique in Patrick Vieira’s first competitive match as coach.

Guinea-Bissau emerged as one of the early surprise packages after defeating co-hosts Tanzania 2-0 away from home, while Zimbabwe staged the comeback of the round by recovering from 2-0 down to beat Sierra Leone 3-2.

Rwanda and Mali also made emphatic starts with 3-1 victories, while Mauritania, Namibia, Sudan, Togo, The Gambia and DR Congo all collected maximum points.

Here is the group-by-group breakdown.

Group A: Morocco and Niger take early control

Morocco began their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Gabon, immediately establishing themselves among the early leaders in Group A.

Noussair Mazraoui broke the deadlock in the 36th minute before Soufiane Rahimi settled the contest six minutes from full-time.

Niger also collected three points, although they were forced to withstand a late Lesotho fightback.

Daniel Sosah put Niger ahead after 38 minutes before Oumar Sako doubled the advantage just before half-time. Lesotho reduced the deficit through Sera Motebang’s 85th-minute penalty, but Niger held on.

Matchday 1: Morocco 2-0 Gabon; Niger 2-1 Lesotho.

Matchday 2: Lesotho v Morocco, September 29, 13:00 GMT; Gabon v Niger, September 29, 19:00 GMT.

Group B: Malawi lead as Egypt drop points

Malawi are the early leaders in Group B after beating South Sudan 2-1, while Egypt were frustrated by Angola in Cairo.

Babatunde Adepoju gave Malawi a first-half lead after 20 minutes, but Stephen Joseph Dhata restored parity three minutes after the restart.

The Flames responded through Lloyd Njaliwa, who struck in the 64th minute to secure the win.

Egypt were unable to find a way past Angola despite having a goal ruled out. Mostafa Zico appeared to have put the hosts ahead in the 21st minute, but the effort was disallowed for offside.

Angola subsequently held firm to leave Cairo with a valuable point.

Matchday 1: Malawi 2-1 South Sudan; Egypt 0-0 Angola.

Matchday 2: South Sudan v Egypt, September 29, 13:00 GMT; Angola v Malawi, October 6, 19:00 GMT.

Group C: Côte d’Ivoire start strongly, Ghana stumble

Côte d’Ivoire marked Hervé Renard’s second spell in charge with a 2-0 victory over Ghana in Bouaké.

Malick Yalcouyé, one of eight newcomers in Renard’s squad, opened the scoring in the 44th minute after being picked out by Franck Kessié.

Kessié then doubled the advantage from the penalty spot in the 58th minute as the Elephants secured three points against a Ghana side without several key players, including Mohammed Kudus, Thomas Partey, Antoine Semenyo and Jordan Ayew.

The Gambia also made a winning start, edging Somalia 2-1.

Ebrima Colley converted an 18th-minute penalty before Bilal Njie levelled for Somalia in the 72nd minute. Substitute Muhammed Badamosi restored Gambia’s lead 11 minutes later.

Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia therefore occupy the top positions after the opening round.

Matchday 1: Côte d’Ivoire 2-0 Ghana; The Gambia 2-1 Somalia.

Matchday 2: Ghana v The Gambia, September 29, 16:00 GMT; Somalia v Côte d’Ivoire, September 29, 19:00 GMT.

Group D: South Africa face a crucial opening assignment

Group D is the only section yet to begin, with South Africa, Guinea, Kenya and Eritrea still waiting to play their opening fixtures.

Co-hosts Kenya are scheduled to face Eritrea before South Africa take on Guinea.

The group carries a different dynamic because Kenya have already secured automatic qualification as one of the tournament’s co-hosts.

That leaves South Africa, Guinea and Eritrea competing for the group’s remaining qualification place, making every point particularly important from the outset.

Matchday 1: Kenya v Eritrea, September 26, 13:00 GMT; South Africa v Guinea, September 26, 16:00 GMT.

Matchday 2: Eritrea v South Africa, September 30, 16:00 GMT; Guinea v Kenya, October 1, 16:00 GMT.

Group E: Zimbabwe complete stunning comeback

Zimbabwe produced arguably the most dramatic result of the opening round after overturning a two-goal deficit to beat Sierra Leone 3-2.

Sierra Leone appeared to be cruising after Alie Conteh and Sallieu Tarawallie gave them a 2-0 advantage.

Zimbabwe, however, produced a remarkable late response.

Marshall Munetsi pulled one back in the 72nd minute before Tawanda Chirewa equalised just four minutes later.

Munetsi completed the turnaround in the 88th minute, scoring his second goal to give Zimbabwe all three points.

DR Congo also began with victory, beating Equatorial Guinea 2-0 through Chancel Mbemba and Yoane Wissa.

Matchday 1: DR Congo 2-0 Equatorial Guinea; Sierra Leone 2-3 Zimbabwe.

Matchday 2: Equatorial Guinea v Sierra Leone, September 28, 16:00 GMT; Zimbabwe v DR Congo, September 28, 16:00 GMT.

Group F: Mauritania hit three as Burkina Faso and Benin share points

Mauritania moved to the top of Group F after beating the Central African Republic 3-1.

Aboubakary Koïta opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Goduine Koyalipou brought the Central African Republic level.

Dawda Camara restored Mauritania’s advantage before Mamadou Diallo added a third goal to complete a strong opening victory.

The other Group F fixture ended 1-1 as Burkina Faso and Benin shared the points.

Lassina Traoré converted a 20th-minute penalty for Burkina Faso, but Aiyegun Tosin responded from the spot in the 68th minute.

Matchday 1: Mauritania 3-1 Central African Republic; Burkina Faso 1-1 Benin.

Matchday 2: Central African Republic v Burkina Faso, September 28, 16:00 GMT; Benin v Mauritania, September 29, 19:00 GMT.

Group G: Cameroon and Namibia open with wins

Cameroon began their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Comoros, with Bryan Mbeumo among the scorers as the Indomitable Lions secured maximum points.

David Ningo put Cameroon in front before Mbeumo doubled their advantage shortly after the interval.

Comoros responded through Warmed Omari, but Danny Namaso restored Cameroon’s two-goal cushion in the 81st minute.

Namibia also claimed three points, defeating Congo 1-0 in Gaborone.

Bethuel Muzeu scored the decisive goal two minutes after half-time, heading Namibia to victory.

Cameroon and Namibia therefore sit at the top of Group G after Matchday 1.

Matchday 1: Cameroon 3-1 Comoros; Namibia 1-0 Congo.

Matchday 2: Comoros v Namibia, September 29, 11:00 GMT; Congo v Cameroon, September 29, 19:00 GMT.

Group H: Four teams level after opening draws

Group H produced no winner, with both opening matches ending level.

Uganda, already assured of a place at PAMOJA 2027 as co-hosts, held Tunisia to a 1-1 draw away from home.

Adem Arous put Tunisia ahead after 12 minutes, but Rogers Mato equalised for Uganda in the 68th minute.

Libya also fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Botswana.

Tumisang Orebonye scored twice to put Botswana in a commanding position, but Libya refused to surrender.

Maruwan Alhibeeshi reduced the deficit before Ezoo El Mariamy converted a stoppage-time penalty to complete the comeback.

Matchday 1: Tunisia 1-1 Uganda; Libya 2-2 Botswana.

Matchday 2: Botswana v Tunisia, September 28, 19:00 GMT; Uganda v Libya, September 29, 16:00 GMT.

Group I: Algeria and Togo claim maximum points

Algeria gave new coach Brahim Hamdani a winning start by beating Zambia 3-1.

Jaouen Hadjam needed only two minutes to put Algeria ahead, but Zambia fought back after half-time when Fashion Sakala equalised in the 57th minute.

Algeria responded strongly, with Ibrahim Maza restoring their lead 10 minutes later.

Substitute Anis Hadj Moussa then added a third in the 74th minute to secure the points.

Togo also began with a victory, beating Burundi 1-0.

Dermane Karim scored the only goal of the game in the 17th minute, putting Togo level with Algeria on three points.

Matchday 1: Algeria 3-1 Zambia; Togo 1-0 Burundi.

Matchday 2: Burundi v Algeria, September 29, 13:00 GMT; Zambia v Togo, September 29, 16:00 GMT.

Group J: Sudan lead as Senegal are held

Sudan sit top of Group J after edging Ethiopia 1-0 in a match that appeared destined for a goalless finish.

Mohamed Eisa broke the deadlock in the 86th minute to snatch all three points for Sudan.

Senegal, meanwhile, were held to a 1-1 draw by Mozambique in Patrick Vieira’s first competitive match as head coach.

Nicolas Jackson put Senegal ahead in the 32nd minute, but Mozambique struck back through Geny Catamo in first-half stoppage time.

Neither side could find a winner after the break, leaving Senegal with a single point and Sudan at the summit.

Matchday 1: Sudan 1-0 Ethiopia; Mozambique 1-1 Senegal.

Matchday 2: Mozambique v Sudan, September 29, 13:00 GMT; Ethiopia v Senegal, September 29, 13:00 GMT.

Group K: Rwanda and Mali send early warning

Rwanda and Mali both made strong statements in Group K by recording 3-1 victories.

Rwanda needed only two minutes to take the lead against Liberia through Abeddy Biramahire.

Mickels Leroy Jacques then doubled the advantage before Sylvanus Nimely pulled one back for Liberia.

Mickels Joy Lance restored Rwanda’s two-goal advantage from the penalty spot before half-time, securing a comfortable start for the Amavubi.

Mali produced an identical scoreline against Cape Verde.

Martial Tia put Mali ahead after five minutes, but Lopes Cabral quickly restored parity.

Nene Dorgeles then took control of the contest, scoring on either side of half-time to complete his brace and hand Mali all three points.

Matchday 1: Rwanda 3-1 Liberia; Mali 3-1 Cape Verde.

Matchday 2: Cape Verde v Rwanda, September 29, 16:00 GMT; Liberia v Mali, September 29, 19:00 GMT.

Group L: Guinea-Bissau stun Tanzania as Nigeria fight back

Guinea-Bissau produced one of Matchday 1’s biggest away results by beating co-hosts Tanzania 2-0.

Franculino Djú broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute before Mama Baldé doubled Guinea-Bissau’s advantage 13 minutes after half-time.

Nigeria also claimed three points, but the Super Eagles had to recover from an early setback against Madagascar.

Ehsan Kari gave Madagascar a 16th-minute lead before George Ilenikhena equalised in first-half stoppage time.

Substitute Moses Usor then completed Nigeria’s comeback in the 65th minute to secure a 2-1 victory.

The result leaves Guinea-Bissau at the top of the group on goal difference, with Nigeria also on three points.

The group has an added dimension because Tanzania are already qualified automatically as co-hosts, leaving Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria and Madagascar competing for the highest position among the non-host nations.

Matchday 1: Tanzania 0-2 Guinea-Bissau; Nigeria 2-1 Madagascar.

Matchday 2: Madagascar v Tanzania, September 29, 13:00 GMT; Guinea-Bissau v Nigeria, September 29, 16:00 GMT.

Matchday 2 set to reshape the groups

With the opening round complete apart from the Group D fixtures, several early trends have emerged across the qualifying campaign.

The likes of Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire, Algeria and Cameroon have started with victories, while Guinea-Bissau, Malawi, Mauritania, Rwanda, Mali and Sudan have also taken early advantage of their opening fixtures.

At the other end, Egypt and Senegal will enter their next matches looking for their first victories after opening with draws, while Ghana will need a response after losing to Côte d’Ivoire.

The second round begins almost immediately, giving the early winners an opportunity to build momentum and those who dropped points a chance to recover.