Category: Football Africa

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mali secure victory as Côte d’Ivoire also claim three points

In the late matches of Tuesday’s CAF Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers, Benin, Mali, and Côte d’Ivoire each claimed victory in their respective games, while the clash between Congo and Cameroon finished in a stalemate.

Benin defeated Mauritania 2-1, with a late comeback attempt by Mauritania. Benin led 1-0 at halftime. Rodolfo Aloko made it 2-0 soon after the break with a close-range goal. Mauritania got a penalty in the 79th minute when Djeidi Gassama was fouled.

Although Benin’s goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou saved Gassama’s first penalty, Aboubakary Koïta scored on the second attempt. Mauritania looked for an equaliser, but Benin held on to win.

In the match between Congo and Cameroon, the score ended 1-1. Geltany Bantsiele scored for Congo in the 24th minute. However, after halftime, an own goal by Congo’s goalkeeper Melvin Zinga tied the game for Cameroon. Both teams pushed for a winner but could not score again.

Mali narrowly beat Liberia 1-0. The game was scoreless for over an hour until Ange Martial Tia scored in the 79th minute after a pass from Kamory Doumbia. Liberia tried to respond but could not break through Mali’s defence.

Côte d’Ivoire won 2-0 against Somalia after a long wait. Somalia’s goalkeeper Ibrahim Hussein made several good saves. Côte d’Ivoire finally scored in the 89th minute when Yann Gboho found the net after a corner. Bazoumana Touré added a second goal in stoppage time, sealing the win.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Guinea-Bissau and The Gambia Deliver Stunning Matchday Two Results

Nigeria and Ghana faced heavy defeats in Tuesday’s TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, while Guinea-Bissau and The Gambia delivered standout performances on Matchday Two.

Guinea-Bissau shocked the Super Eagles with a 3-0 victory, marking their second straight win in Group L, while Ghana let a two-goal lead slip away, losing 4-2 to The Gambia, and remains without a point in Group C.

In other matches, Rwanda retained their perfect record with a 2-1 win over Cape Verde, co-hosts Uganda narrowly defeated Libya 1-0, and Zambia bounced back from their opening defeat by overcoming Togo with the same scoreline.

The tournament features 48 teams divided into 12 groups of four, with only the top-placed non-host nation advancing from groups that include co-hosts Kenya, Tanzania, or Uganda.

In Group L, Guinea-Bissau made headlines with a stunning victory against Nigeria, taking control of the qualifying race. Franculino opened the scoring in the 15th minute, and Mama Baldé doubled the lead midway through the second half.

Álvaro Djaló sealed a memorable night for Guinea-Bissau with a stoppage-time goal, leading them to a 2-0 victory over Tanzania. They now have six points, while Nigeria, after a 2-1 win against Madagascar, faced a setback at home. Only one of Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, or Madagascar will qualify, as Tanzania is confirmed as co-hosts.

In Group C, The Gambia staged an incredible comeback against Ghana, winning 4-2. Ghana led 2-0 with an Ernest Nuamah penalty and a goal from Felix Afena-Gyan.

However, The Gambia rallied with a penalty from Muhammed Badamosi and goals from Omar and Ebrima Colley. Now, The Gambia has six points, while Ghana suffers its second consecutive defeat after a 2-0 loss.

Egypt Hit Five as Morocco, Senegal Win; Algeria Fight Back
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Egypt Hit Five as Morocco, Senegal Win; Algeria Fight Back

Egypt secured a 5-0 victory over South Sudan in Group B, responding strongly after an earlier draw against Angola. Omar Marmoush scored twice.

Morocco maintained a perfect record with a 2-0 win over Lesotho, scoring both goals in the first half and remaining unbeaten in their qualifiers.

Senegal earned their first win under coach Patrick Vieira, defeating Ethiopia 1-0 thanks to an early goal from Ibrahim Mbaye.

Algeria managed a 2-2 draw against Burundi, coming back from a two-goal deficit but still dropping their first points of the campaign after winning their opener.

Mozambique had a strong performance, defeating Sudan 4-1 and showing resilience after taking the lead in the first half.

These results shape the qualification race for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Comoros Beat Namibia in Group G Contest

Comoros won their first match in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers by beating Namibia 1-0 in Group G on Tuesday.

Benjaloud Youssouf scored the winning goal in the 54th minute after a scoreless first half. This victory gave Comoros three important points after they lost 3-1 to Cameroon in their opening match.

Namibia had started their campaign with a 1-0 win over Congo but could not score an equaliser against Comoros, even after making several changes in the second half.

Now, Comoros, Namibia, and Cameroon all have three points, although Cameroon has played one fewer match. Cameroon will play against Congo in the next game, with Congo currently at the bottom of the group, seeking their first win.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Tunisia, Botswana Share the Spoils in Radès

Tunisia and Botswana played to an exciting 2-2 draw in Rades on Monday during Matchday 2 Group H of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers.

The Eagles of Carthage are still seeking their first victory after starting with a 1-1 draw against co-hosts Uganda, while Botswana also has two points from their first two matches following a draw with Libya.

Thatayaone Kgamanyane put Botswana ahead in the 37th minute, but Hazem Mastouri responded for Tunisia with two goals around halftime. Botswana equalised on the hour mark through Lebogang Ditsele, ensuring the points were shared.

Both teams now sit on two points in Group H, with Uganda and Libya set to face off on Tuesday. Uganda has already secured a spot in the finals as one of the co-hosts, meaning only the top team outside Uganda will qualify, heightening the importance of each point.

In other Group E matches, DR Congo continued their perfect start with a 2-1 win over Zimbabwe, thanks to goals from Yoane Wissa and Samuel Moutoussamy, while Marshall Munetsi scored for Zimbabwe. DR Congo leads the group with six points.

Equatorial Guinea picked up their first win with a 1-0 triumph over Sierra Leone, courtesy of Loren Zuniga’s early goal.

Burkina Faso also added to their points tally in Group F, securing a 1-0 victory over the Central African Republic thanks to a goal from teenager Aboubacar Camara. Mauritania and Benin will complete their Matchday 2 fixtures on Tuesday in Abidjan.