2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying: eight teams make perfect starts

The race to reach the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations resumes this week with the third round of qualifying matches, and eight teams have taken maximum points from their opening two games.

Morocco, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, South Africa, DR Congo, Rwanda, Mali and Guinea-Bissau have each collected six points from six. Ghana, Cape Verde and several other nations are still waiting for their first victories in the campaign.

The standings remain close in a number of groups, with several teams separated by only a single point.

Tight contests at the top

Egypt and Angola are level on four points in Group B, while Malawi are just behind them on three.

Group F is similarly competitive. Benin and Burkina Faso share the lead with four points apiece, with Mauritania close behind.

Cameroon have a narrow advantage in Group G, ahead of Comoros and Namibia.

In Group I, which includes Togo, Algeria lead the section on four points. The Eperviers and Zambia are next, both having taken three points from their opening two fixtures.

Leaders opening up gaps

Some groups have already begun to develop clearer patterns.

Cote d’Ivoire and Gambia have moved clear at the head of Group C, while Ghana and Somalia remain without a point.

Mali and Rwanda have also won both of their first matches in Group K. Those results leave Cape Verde and Liberia still looking for their first points.

Guinea-Bissau lead Group L with six points, followed by Nigeria.

However, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are automatically guaranteed places at the final tournament as the host nations. As a result, only one other team from each of their respective qualifying groups can secure a place at the finals.

The group standings after two rounds are organised as follows:

– Group A – Group B – Group C – Group D – Group E – Group F – Group G – Group H – Group I – Group J – Group K – Group L