The second day of qualifiers for the next African Cup of Nations (CAN) in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania took place at the start of the week. The time has come for an initial assessment group by group.
Published on: 09/30/2026 - 4:25 p.m.
The 2nd day of qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations was held Monday September 28 and Tuesday September 29. While Senegal coach Patrick Vieira won his first victory in his new role in Ethiopia (1-0), Tuesday was fatal for other African leaders, such as Nigeria, humiliated by Guinea-Bissau (3-0). Cape Verde, revelation of the last World Cup, lost at home against Rwanda (2-1), while Ghana fell in Accra against Gambia (4-2) after leading 2-0.
Read alsoCAN 2027: the complete draw for the qualifiers
Group A: Morocco, Gabon, Niger, Lesotho
All the lights are green for the Atlas Lions, easy winners of Lesotho (2-0) on Tuesday and who thus have a second victory in a row in these qualifiers after winning the clash against Gabon on the first day (2-0).
Mohamed Ouahbi's players left the Crocodiles no chance (79% possession, 19 shots attempted against 6) and logically left with the victory thanks to the achievements of Brahim Diaz (45th, 0-1) and Azzedine Ounahi at the end of the match (82nd, 0-2). The Moroccans consolidate their position as leaders of Group A (6 points) and are currently perfectly on track towards the 2027 African Cup of Nations.
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Group B: Egypt, Angola, Malawi, South Sudan
The Pharaohs have already forgotten their disappointment against Angola when they entered the competition (0-0), since they recovered perfectly by crushing South Sudan (5-0) this Tuesday. It still took half an hour of play for the Egyptians to get into the game, before Ziko finally opened the scoring before half-time (36th, 0-1).
Hossam Hassan's men then progressed in the second half with a double from Omar Marmoush (49th, 83rd) and goals from Ibrahim Adel (75th) and Hamza Abdelkarim (90th + 2) in added time. Egypt temporarily regains the lead of its group before knowing the result of the match between Malawi and Angola on October 6
Group C: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Gambia, Somalia
Ivory Coast had a good entry operation by dominating Ghana (2-0), it was much less successful on Tuesday against Somalia. The Elephants dominated the match but also largely lacked success and precision (23 shots attempted, 6 on target), with a first period marked in particular by the blunders of Franck Kessié and Malick Yalcouyé or the free kick of Nicolas Pépé which ended on the bar of the Somali goalkeeper.
Elye Wahi thought he could break the deadlock by taking a nice pass from his captain Franck Kessié in the area, but his goal was canceled for an obvious offside position (56th). Hervé Renard's players came very close to a first disappointment in these qualifiers against the Somalis, before finally being delivered by a shot from Yann Gboho at the end of the match (89th, 0-1) and a goal from Bazoumana Touré (90th +5, 0-2). Even if it took a long time to emerge, it is a new success for the French coach. Ivory Coast is 2nd in its group, tied on points with Gambia.
Read also CAN 2027 qualifiers: Ivory Coast continues, Nigeria surprised by Guinea-Bissau
Group D: South Africa, Guinea, Kenya, Eritrea
South Africa is currently first in the group after a victory on September 26 against Guinea with a score of 2-1. Eliminated in the round of 16 of the World Cup by Canada (1-0), a setback which led to the departure of coach Hugo Broos, the South Africans are now led by Pitso Mosimane. The technician knows the selection well, which he had already led in 2007, then from 2010 to 2012. Kenya and Eritrea for their part neutralized each other (1-1), even if the Red Sea Boys, who were playing their first match for CAN qualifying for seven years, almost created a surprise against the Harambee Stars. Lagging behind the other groups, these teams play their second day on September 30 and October 1.
Group E: DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe
DR Congo won against Zimbabwe (2-1) on Monday at the National Sports Stadium in Harare, for the second day of Group E counting for the CAN 2027 qualifiers. As against Equatorial Guinea, the Leopards mastered their subject against valiant Warriors, notably thanks to Yoane Wissa. This success allows them to achieve their second victory in as many qualifying matches for the next African Cup of Nations. Sébastien Desabre's men are in an armchair before the next international break. Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea share 2nd place in the group, while Sierra Leone has no points.
Group F: Burkina Faso, Benin, Mauritania, Central African Republic
Benin won on Tuesday against Mauritania (2-1) and pocketed its first success after the very good draw obtained against Burkina Faso (1-1) on the first day. Rodolfo Aloko's double (31st, 46th) allows the Beninese to return to first place in the group alongside Burkina Faso (4 points). The Stallions won on Monday against the Central African Republic (1-0).
Group G: Cameroon, Comoros, Namibia, Congo-Brazzaville
Serious against the Comoros in the opening (3-1), Cameroon was less visible against Congo-Brazzaville on Tuesday (1-1). The Red Devils even opened the scoring thanks to Geltany Bantsiele (24th, 1-0), before conceding the equalizer with an own goal from Melvin Zinga (53rd, 1-1). The Indomitable Lions suffered a setback but retained their place as leaders (4 points) thanks to Comoros' victory against Namibia earlier (1-0).
Read alsoCAN 2027: seven stories to follow during the first two days of the qualifiers
Group H: Tunisia, Uganda, Libya, Botswana
Uganda took the lead in the group after its victory on Tuesday (1-0) against Libya. Tunisia is only third. The Carthage Eagles had two draws during the first two days. They were first neutralized by the Ugandans (1-1) then by Botswana on Tuesday with a score of 2-2. The Tunisian selection is once again in full doubt after this eighth match without the slightest victory.
Group I: Algeria, Zambia, Togo, Burundi
After a perfectly negotiated entry into the competition against Zambia (3-1), the Fennecs experienced a much more complicated second day against Burundi (2-2) on Tuesday. The Fennecs never managed to take control of the match and could even have suffered a surprise defeat after a huge double chance from Burundi at the very end of the match. If Algeria limited the damage by leaving with a draw, it still remains an unforeseen setback. The Greens, however, retain the lead in Group I ahead of Zambia.
Group J: Senegal, Mozambique, Sudan, Ethiopia
Hooked by Mozambique on the first day (1-1), Senegal had to relaunch against Ethiopia to avoid falling further behind in the race to qualify for CAN 2027. This was done for the Lions of Patrick Vieira (1-0), who won their duel on Tuesday against Ethiopia thanks to a quick goal from Ibrahim Mbaye (11th, 0-1).
A first victory for the French coach on the Senegalese bench, but still without really convincing and without style (only 3 shots on target) despite possession of the ball in their favor (61%). Next step for the Lions of Téranga: Sudan on November 11 to continue to gain momentum in these qualifiers where they are in 2nd place in their group.
Read alsoCAN 2027 qualifiers: first success for Vieira's Senegal, Algeria trapped by Burundi
Group K: Mali, Cape Verde, Rwanda, Liberia
Mali scored a second victory on Tuesday by beating Liberia with a minimal score (1-0), after dominating Cape Verde (3-1) in the first match. It was a goal from Martial Tia (79th, 0-1) which allowed the Eagles to win and return to second place in the group tied with Rwanda, leader (6 points).
Group L: Nigeria, Madagascar, Tanzania, Guinea-Bissau
Already victorious against Tanzania (2-0), Guinea-Bissau did it again on Tuesday against Nigeria (2-0), yet one of the most feared teams on the continent.
The Lycaons dominated the Super Eagles against all expectations, displaying much more impact in the game than Eric Chelle's men, while being buoyed by the decisive interventions in front of the goal from their goalkeeper Fernando Embadje. Leading at half-time after Franculino's opening score (15th, 1-0), the Bissau-Guineans continued to push against unrecognizable Nigerians. And it paid off: Mama Baldé (66th, 2-0) and Alvaro Djalo (90th +5, 3-0) came to drive the point home to make the spectators at the September 24 stadium in Bissau exult with joy. A great achievement for Emiliano Té's men, who took the lead of their group before the start of the third day.
Divided into 12 groups of 4, these teams will compete over six days: 3 and 4 will take place from November 9 to 17, and 5 and 6 will take place between March 22 and 30, 2027.
See also CAN 2027 qualifiers: selections forced into exile due to lack of stadium
The 12 groups of the CAN 2027 qualifiers
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