AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Seychelles and Lesotho draw goalless after close contest

Seychelles and Lesotho battled to a goalless draw on Thursday in the first leg of their preliminary round tie in the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

In the game played at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa, both national teams put up a top performance, but neither side managed to find the back of the net throughout the 90 minutes.

With this result, the two national teams have it all to play for in the second leg scheduled for Sunday, March 29.

In the other AFCON 2027 qualifier played on Thursday, South Sudan delivered an emphatic performance to defeat Djibouti 4-0 on Thursday afternoon in the preliminary round of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Playing at the Juba Stadium, the hosts asserted their dominance from start to finish, producing a commanding display to begin their campaign on a high note.

Early Control Sets the Tone

South Sudan took control of the contest early and were rewarded in the 31st minute when Teng Kuol found the back of the net, finishing off a well-worked move assisted by Justin Bangasi.

The opening goal settled the hosts, who continued to dictate the tempo and limit Djibouti’s attacking opportunities.

Second-Half Surge Seals Victory

The momentum carried into the second half, and South Sudan doubled their lead shortly after the restart. In the 49th minute, Justin Bangasi turned from provider to scorer, converting a chance created by Keer Majak.

Djibouti struggled to respond, and the pressure mounted as South Sudan pushed forward in search of more goals. Their persistence paid off again in the 66th minute, with Peter Maker getting on the scoresheet after another assist from Keer Majak.

Keer Majak capped off an impressive individual performance by adding a goal of his own in the 81st minute, sealing a comprehensive victory for the home side.

What Next

With a massive scoreline in the first leg, South Sudan holds a healthy advantage heading into the reverse fixture on Sunday, March 29.

For Djibouti, the heavy defeat highlights the work needed as they aim to bounce back in the return fixture.