Namibia Edge Congo 1-0 to Open AFCON 2027 Qualifying Campaign With Win
Namibia opened their TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifying campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Congo in Group G on Thursday.
The decisive moment came two minutes after half-time when South Africa-based forward Bethuel Muzeu headed Namibia into the lead in the 47th minute. The goal followed a delivery into the area as Namibia converted their pressure into the only goal of the encounter.
Namibia controlled a significant share of possession during the match, while Congo created opportunities of their own but failed to make them count. Namibia’s Riaan Hanamub was also prominent from the full-back position as the hosts protected their advantage.
The victory gives Namibia three points from their opening Group G fixture as they begin their bid to return to the AFCON finals. Namibia last appeared at the tournament in 2023, while Congo’s most recent appearance at the finals was in 2015.
Mauritania Beat Central African Republic 3-1 in AFCON 2027 Qualifier
Mauritania began their TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifying campaign with a 3-1 victory over the Central African Republic in Group F on Thursday.
Aboubakary Koïta gave Mauritania the lead from the penalty spot in the 32nd minute before Central African Republic restored parity through Goduine Koyalipou three minutes after the interval.
Mauritania regained the advantage through Dawda Camara in the 69th minute before Mamadou Diallo added a third goal in the 89th minute to secure all three points for the hosts.
The result gives Mauritania an early three-point advantage in Group F, while Central African Republic will look to recover when the qualifying campaign continues. Their next fixture is against Burkina Faso, according to CAF’s Matchday 2 schedule.
Libya Fight Back From Two Goals Down to Draw 2-2 With Botswana
Libya recovered from a two-goal deficit to earn a 2-2 draw against Botswana in their opening Group H fixture of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifiers on Thursday.
Botswana appeared on course for victory after Tumisang Orebonye scored twice in the first half. The forward struck in the 30th and 42nd minutes to give the visitors a 2-0 advantage.
Libya responded late in the match, with Maruwan Alhibeeshi reducing the deficit in the 87th minute. The hosts then completed the comeback when Ezoo El Mariamy converted a stoppage-time penalty in the 96th minute to make it 2-2.
The draw leaves both Libya and Botswana with one point from their opening Group H fixture. Libya’s next qualifier is away to Uganda, while Botswana will host Tunisia in Matchday 2.
Mbemba, Wissa Fire DR Congo to 2-0 Victory Over Equatorial Guinea
The Democratic Republic of Congo began their TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifying campaign with a 2-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea in Group E on Thursday.
DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba opened the scoring just four minutes into the match, rising to meet Arthur Masuaku’s corner and heading the ball beyond Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper Jesús Owono.
Equatorial Guinea attempted to respond but DR Congo retained their advantage at half-time. The visitors created opportunities after the break, including an effort from Saúl Coco that forced a save from goalkeeper Matthieu Epolo.
Yoane Wissa doubled DR Congo’s lead in the 72nd minute, collecting the ball inside the penalty area before finishing into the bottom corner. Epolo subsequently made a late save to deny Loren Zúñiga as DR Congo preserved their clean sheet.
The three points give DR Congo an early advantage in Group E, while Equatorial Guinea will seek to respond when the qualification campaign continues.
Uganda Hold Tunisia 1-1 in Radès to Open AFCON Qualifying Campaign
Uganda came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw away to Tunisia in their opening Group H fixture of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifiers on Thursday.
Tunisia took the lead in the 12th minute through Adem Arous, giving new head coach Mouine Chaâbani a positive start to his first competitive match in charge of the Eagles of Carthage.
Uganda remained in the contest and levelled through Rogers Mato in the 68th minute. The equaliser earned the Cranes a point away from home and denied Tunisia victory in their opening qualifier.
Uganda are already guaranteed a place at the 2027 AFCON finals as one of the co-hosts alongside Kenya and Tanzania. However, they are participating in the qualifying group, with CAF using the results to determine the additional qualifying place from Group H.
The draw leaves Tunisia and Uganda with one point apiece. Tunisia will next travel to face Botswana, while Uganda are scheduled to host Libya on Matchday 2.
Zimbabwe Complete Stunning Comeback to Beat Sierra Leone 3-2
Zimbabwe overturned a two-goal half-time deficit to defeat Sierra Leone 3-2 in one of the most dramatic results of the opening round of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifiers.
Sierra Leone made a strong start as Alie Conteh opened the scoring in the seventh minute before Sallieu Tarawallie doubled the advantage in the 27th minute. The hosts carried their 2-0 lead into half-time.
Zimbabwe’s response came in the second half. Marshall Munetsi reduced the deficit in the 72nd minute before Tawanda Chirewa equalised four minutes later.
Munetsi then completed the turnaround in the 88th minute, scoring his second goal of the match to give Zimbabwe a 3-2 victory after trailing by two goals.
The comeback gives Zimbabwe three points from their opening Group E fixture, while Sierra Leone were left without a point despite establishing a two-goal advantage before the interval.
Yalcouyé, Kessié Goals Give Côte d’Ivoire 2-0 Win Over Ghana
Côte d’Ivoire opened their TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifying campaign with a 2-0 victory over Ghana in Bouaké on Thursday.
Malick Yalcouyé put the hosts ahead in the 44th minute, marking his international debut with the opening goal after receiving the ball from Franck Kessié.
Kessié then doubled Côte d’Ivoire’s advantage from the penalty spot in the 58th minute, sending Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi the wrong way.
The result marked a winning start to Hervé Renard’s second spell as Côte d’Ivoire coach. CAF had identified the fixture as one of the headline matches of Matchday 1, with both sides entering a new qualifying cycle following the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ghana struggled to create clear opportunities and did not register a shot on target until the 75th minute, according to Reuters’ match report. The Black Stars were also without several key players, including Mohammed Kudus, Thomas Partey, Antoine Semenyo and Jordan Ayew.
Côte d’Ivoire therefore take three points from their opening Group C fixture, while Ghana will look to respond when they host The Gambia in their next qualifier.
Mbeumo, Namaso Lead Cameroon to 3-1 Win Over Comoros
Cameroon began their TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifying campaign with a 3-1 victory over Comoros in Garoua on Thursday.
David Ningo gave the Indomitable Lions the lead in the 39th minute before Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo doubled the advantage shortly after half-time.
Comoros responded through Warmed Omari in the 51st minute, reducing the deficit and briefly giving the visitors a route back into the contest. Cameroon restored their two-goal cushion in the 81st minute when Danny Namaso found the net, securing all three points for the hosts.
The victory gives Cameroon three points from their opening Group G fixture. Their next qualifier is away to Congo on 29 September, while Comoros will host Namibia on the same day.