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2027 AFCON Qualifiers: Egypt hit five as Morocco and Senegal win while Algeria fight back

By CAF
Cup of Nations 2027 AFCON Qualifiers: Egypt hit five as Morocco and Senegal win while Algeria fight back
TUE, 29 SEP 2026

Egypt produced the biggest victory of Tuesday's early TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifying matches, beating South Sudan 5-0, while Mozambique also impressed with a 4-1 win over Sudan.

Morocco maintained their perfect start with a 2-0 victory over Lesotho, while Senegal earned their first win under Patrick Vieira by edging Ethiopia 1-0.

Algeria, however, dropped their first points after recovering from two goals down to draw 2-2 away to Burundi in Group I.

The results added further shape to the qualification race after the opening round of matches last week.

  • Burundi 2-2 Algeria – Group I

Algeria recovered from a disastrous start to earn a 2-2 draw against Burundi and remain unbeaten after two matches in Group I.

Burundi raced into a two-goal lead inside the opening 12 minutes, with Algeria midfielder Farès Chaïbi credited with an own goal after five minutes before Jean Girumugisha doubled the advantage seven minutes later.

The Desert Foxes responded in the 30th minute when Mohamed El Amine Belloumi reduced the deficit, giving the visitors a route back into the contest before half-time.

Algeria suffered another setback shortly before the interval when Himad Abdelli was forced off through injury, but Brahim Hamdani's side continued to press after the restart.

Their persistence was rewarded in the 63rd minute when Adil Boulbina scored the equaliser to complete the comeback.

Neither side could find a decisive third goal, leaving Algeria with four points from their opening two qualifiers after beginning their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Zambia. Burundi, beaten 1-0 by Togo in their opening match, collected their first point.

  • Ethiopia 0-1 Senegal – Group J

Senegal claimed their first victory under Patrick Vieira after Ibrahim Mbaye's early goal secured a hard-fought 1-0 win away to Ethiopia in Group J.

The Lions of Teranga, who were held 1-1 by Mozambique in Vieira's first competitive match in charge, needed only 11 minutes to take the lead.

Nicolas Jackson provided the pass for Mbaye, who finished to put Senegal in control and score what proved to be the only goal of the contest.

Ethiopia stayed within touching distance throughout the match and attempted to find a way back after the interval, while Vieira made several changes as Senegal looked to protect their narrow advantage.

Jackson was withdrawn in the closing stages, with Pape Moussa Fall introduced in the 89th minute, before Mbaye also made way in stoppage time.

Senegal held firm to collect three valuable points and move on to four from their opening two matches.

For Ethiopia, it was a second successive narrow defeat after they lost 1-0 to Sudan on Matchday One, leaving them without a point in Group J.

  • Lesotho 0-2 Morocco – Group A

Morocco maintained their perfect start to the qualifiers with a 2-0 victory over Lesotho to move onto six points from their opening two Group A matches.

The Atlas Lions had to remain patient against a determined Lesotho side before Brahim Diaz finally broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time.

Lesotho made changes after the interval as they attempted to find an equaliser, while Morocco introduced attacking reinforcements including Abdessamad Ezzalzouli and Soufiane Rahimi.

The second goal eventually arrived in the 82nd minute when Azzedine Ounahi finished after being supplied by Rahimi, giving Morocco the cushion they needed to see out the contest.

Mohamed Ouahbi's side had opened their campaign with a 2-0 home victory over Gabon, meaning they have now scored four goals without conceding in their opening two qualifiers.

Lesotho, meanwhile, remain without a point after successive defeats, having gone down 2-1 against Niger in their first match.

Morocco's latest victory strengthens their early position in Group A as they continue their qualification campaign for PAMOJA 2027.

  • Mozambique 4-1 Sudan – Group J

Mozambique produced an emphatic second-half performance to beat Sudan 4-1 and strengthen their position in Group J.

The Mambas took the lead in the 24th minute through Witi after an opening period in which both teams battled for control.

Mozambique then took the game away from Sudan after half-time, with Chamito doubling the advantage almost immediately after the restart.

Guima made it 3-0 in the 58th minute before Chamito struck again four minutes later to complete his double and give the hosts a commanding four-goal advantage.

Sudan, who had started their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Ethiopia, were unable to mount a comeback but did claim a late consolation when Yaser Hamed converted a penalty in the 88th minute.

The victory takes Mozambique to four points from their opening two matches following their 1-1 draw against Senegal on Matchday One.

Sudan remain on three points, while Senegal also moved to four following their victory over Ethiopia, setting up an intriguing early battle in Group J.

  • South Sudan 0-5 Egypt – Group B

Egypt responded emphatically to their opening draw against Angola by thrashing South Sudan 5-0 in Juba, with Omar Marmoush scoring twice.

Mostafa Zico, who had a goal ruled out for offside against Angola on Matchday One, opened the scoring in the 36th minute to give the Pharaohs a 1-0 advantage at half-time.

Egypt quickly increased the pressure after the restart, with Marmoush doubling their lead in the 49th minute.

Substitute Ibrahim Adel made it 3-0 in the 75th minute before Marmoush struck again eight minutes later to complete his double and put the result beyond doubt.

There was still time for another substitute, Hamza Abdelkarim, to add a fifth in second-half stoppage time and complete an emphatic afternoon for the seven-time African champions.

The victory moves Egypt onto four points from their opening two Group B matches after their goalless draw with Angola.

South Sudan remain without a point after following their opening 2-1 defeat by Malawi with a heavy home loss.

  • Comoros 1-0 Namibia

Comoros secured their first victory in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifiers with a 1-0 win over Namibia in their Group G Matchday Two encounter on Tuesday.

Benjaloud Youssouf scored the decisive goal in the 54th minute after a goalless first half, giving Comoros three valuable points following their 3-1 defeat by Cameroon in their opening qualifier.

Namibia, who began their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Congo, were unable to find an equaliser despite making several second-half changes as they attempted to rescue a point.

The result leaves Comoros, Namibia and Cameroon on three points each, although the Indomitable Lions have played one game fewer.

Cameroon will face Congo in the group's other Matchday Two fixture, with Congo currently bottom without a point and seeking their first victory of the campaign.

  • Madagascar 1-1 Tanzania – Group L

Madagascar and Tanzania shared the points after a 1-1 draw in their TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 Group L qualifier on Tuesday.

Tanzania, already assured of their place at the finals as co-hosts, took the lead in the 39th minute through Cyprian Kachewele after a closely contested opening period.

Madagascar, who lost 2-1 away to Nigeria on Matchday One, responded strongly after the interval and needed only five minutes to restore parity.

Nicolas Fontaine scored the equaliser in the 50th minute, finishing from Ehsen Kari's assist to bring the Barea back into the contest.

The result gives Madagascar their first point of the qualifying campaign, while Tanzania also collect their first after beginning with a 2-0 home defeat by Guinea-Bissau.

With Tanzania automatically qualified, Madagascar's main battle remains with Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau for the group's available qualification place.

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