2027 AFCON: Nigeria and Ghana stunned as qualifiers delivers major shocks

Nigeria and Ghana suffered damaging defeats in Tuesday’s TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifiers as Guinea-Bissau and The Gambia produced two of the standout results of Matchday Two.

Guinea-Bissau stunned the Super Eagles 3-0 to make it two wins from two in Group L, while Ghana surrendered a two-goal lead in a remarkable 4-2 loss to The Gambia and remain without a point in Group C.

Elsewhere, Rwanda continued their perfect start with a 2-1 victory away to Cape Verde, co-hosts Uganda edged Libya 1-0 and Zambia bounced back from defeat in their opener by overcoming Togo by the same scoreline.

The 48 teams have been divided into 12 groups of four, with only the highest-placed non-host nation qualifying from groups containing co-hosts Kenya, Tanzania or Uganda.

• Guinea-Bissau 3-0 Nigeria – Group L

Guinea-Bissau claimed a famous victory over Nigeria to take firm control of the race for the qualifying place available from Group L.

Franculino gave the visitors the lead after 15 minutes before Mama Baldé doubled the advantage midway through the second half. Álvaro Djaló completed a remarkable result in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

It leaves Guinea-Bissau with a maximum of six points after they had opened their campaign with an impressive 2-0 away victory over co-hosts Tanzania.

Nigeria had started with a 2-1 comeback success against Madagascar but were unable to repeat that recovery as they suffered a heavy home setback. With Tanzania automatically qualified as co-hosts, only the highest-placed side among Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria and Madagascar will join them at the finals.

• Ghana 2-4 The Gambia – Group C

The Gambia produced a superb comeback from two goals down to stun Ghana and maintain their perfect start to the qualifiers.

Ernest Nuamah converted a 27th-minute penalty before Felix Afena-Gyan made it 2-0 six minutes later, seemingly putting the Black Stars in control.

But Muhammed Badamosi responded from the penalty spot in the 37th minute, and Omar Colley equalised five minutes later to send the sides into the break level.

Ebrima Colley then completed the turnaround in the 68th minute before scoring again in stoppage time to seal an extraordinary 4-2 victory.

The Gambia now have six points from two matches following their opening 2-1 win over Somalia, while Ghana have suffered back-to-back defeats after losing 2-0 away to Côte d’Ivoire in their first fixture.

• Zambia 2-0 Togo – Group I

Zambia recovered from defeat in their opening qualifier with a 2-0 victory over Togo, sealed by goals at either end of the contest.

Albert Kangwanda gave Chipolopolo the perfect start after only three minutes, finishing from Fashion Sakala’s assist to put the hosts in front.

Zambia had to wait until deep into stoppage time to make the points safe, with substitute Eliya Mandanji scoring in the 95th minute to complete the win.

The result gives Zambia their first three points of the campaign after a 3-1 loss away to Algeria in their opening match, while Togo remain on three points following their Matchday One victory over Burundi.

• Cape Verde 1-2 Rwanda – Group K

Rwanda also made it six points from six as they came from behind to defeat Cape Verde away from home.

Benchimol put the hosts ahead five minutes before halftime, but Claude Niyomugabo levelled in first-half stoppage-time.

Elie Iradukunda Tatou then struck seven minutes after the restart to complete the turnaround and give Rwanda a second successive victory following their 3-1 opening win over Liberia.

Cape Verde are still searching for their first point after they were beaten 3-1 by Mali on Matchday One.

• Uganda 1-0 Libya – Group H

Co-hosts Uganda continued their unbeaten start with a narrow victory over Libya as Arnold Vula scored the only goal in first-half stoppage time.

Uganda had opened their campaign with a creditable 1-1 draw away to Tunisia and moved onto four points from their opening two matches.

Libya, meanwhile, remain on one point after their dramatic 2-2 draw with Botswana in their first fixture.

Uganda are already assured of their place at the PAMOJA 2027 finals as co-hosts, meaning only the highest placed team among Tunisia, Libya and Botswana will qualify alongside them from Group H.