Ghana and Nigeria suffer shock defeats in Afcon qualifying

Ghana and Nigeria were beaten in major upsets in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Tuesday, while Algeria recovered from two goals down to draw with Burundi.

Cape Verde, admired for their determined performances at this year’s World Cup, also suffered a surprise home defeat by Rwanda.

Egypt, Morocco and Senegal secured difficult away victories, while Benin, Comoros, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mozambique, Uganda and Zambia won at home during a 17-match day in qualifying for the finals, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

Ghana, one of Africa’s 10 representatives at the World Cup, where they reached the last 32, threw away a two-goal lead in a remarkable 4-2 defeat by Gambia in Accra.

Ernest Nuamah and Felix Afena-Gyan put the Black Stars 2-0 up after 33 minutes, but Muhammed Badamosi’s penalty, goals from Omar Colley and substitute Ebrima Colley’s two strikes completed an extraordinary turnaround.

Gambia, whose population is below three million compared with Ghana’s almost 35 million, secured only their second win over Ghana. Angry home supporters threw bottles on to the pitch during the closing stages.

The result increased pressure on experienced coach Carlos Queiroz after Ghana began their Group C campaign with defeat by Ivory Coast last week.

Coventry City forward Yann Gboho scored on his Ivory Coast debut, coming off the bench to end Somalia’s resistance in the final minute. Bazoumana Toure added a second five minutes into stoppage time for a 2-0 victory.

Nigeria, semi-finalists at January’s last Afcon finals, were outplayed despite naming seven Premier League players in their starting line-up. They lost 3-0 in Guinea Bissau and could have suffered a heavier defeat.

Franculino Dju opened the scoring in the first half before captain Mama Balde doubled Guinea Bissau’s advantage after 66 minutes. Alvaro Djalo completed the scoring in stoppage time.

Algeria trailed 2-0 away to Burundi after 12 minutes but recovered to draw their Group I match in Bujumbura. Mohamed Belloumi and Adil Boulbina rescued a point, although it was an unconvincing display under new coach Brahim Hemdani.

Cape Verde have lost both of their opening Group K games after Rwanda came from behind to win 2-1 in Praia, with teenager Elie Iradukunda scoring the decisive goal. Mali won 1-0 away against Liberia in the same group.

Egypt, who rested Mohamed Salah because of concerns about injury on Juba’s artificial surface, beat South Sudan 5-0 in Group B. Omar Marmoush scored twice, while Mostafa Zico, Ibrahim Adel and teenager Hamza Abdelkarim were also on target.

Brahim Diaz gave Morocco the lead just before half-time against Lesotho in Bloemfontein, South Africa, where the match was staged because Lesotho lacks an internationally compliant stadium. Azzedine Ounahi scored eight minutes from time to seal a 2-0 win and move Morocco top of Group A.

Senegal earned new coach Patrick Vieira his first victory with a 1-0 win over Ethiopia. Ibrahim Mbaye scored after 11 minutes following a pass from Aston Villa team-mate Nicolas Jackson.

Mozambique moved top of Group J on goal difference by beating Sudan 4-1 in Maputo, with Chamito scoring twice. Cameroon drew 1-1 with Congo in Brazzaville, while Comoros beat Namibia 1-0 in Moroni through Benjaloud Youssef’s early second-half goal.

The 2012 African champions Zambia beat Togo 2-0 in Ndola in a match delayed for 20 minutes by a first-half power cut. Rodolfo Aloko scored both goals as Benin beat Mauritania 2-1, while debutant Arnold Vula secured Uganda a 1-0 home win over Libya.