AFCON 2027 qualifiers: all Matchday 1 results

Matchday 1 of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers is complete. Over three days, from 24 to 26 September 2026, all 48 teams played their opening game. Here are all the results, group by group, and the key talking points.

Key talking points

• Most favourites delivered: Morocco, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, DR Congo, Mali and Nigeria all started with a win.
• Senegal and Egypt dropped points: in Patrick Vieira's first game in charge, Senegal were held 1-1 by Mozambique, while Egypt were held 0-0 by Angola.
• Comeback of the day: two goals down in Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe fought back to win 3-2.
• Hosts under pressure: Uganda drew 1-1 in Tunisia, Kenya were held 1-1 by Eritrea, and Tanzania lost 2-0 at home to Guinea-Bissau.

All Matchday 1 results

Group A - Morocco 2-0 Gabon (Mazraoui, Rahimi) - Niger 2-1 Lesotho

Group B - Egypt 0-0 Angola - Malawi 2-1 South Sudan

Group C - Ivory Coast 2-0 Ghana (Yalcouyé, Kessié pen.) - The Gambia 2-1 Somalia (Colley, Badamosi)

Group D - South Africa 2-1 Guinea - Kenya 1-1 Eritrea

Group E - DR Congo 2-0 Equatorial Guinea (Mbemba, Wissa) - Sierra Leone 2-3 Zimbabwe

Group F - Burkina Faso 1-1 Benin - Mauritania 3-1 Central African Republic

Group G - Cameroon 3-1 Comoros (Nyengue, Mbeumo, Namaso / Omari) - Namibia 1-0 Congo

Group H - Tunisia 1-1 Uganda (Arous / Mato) - Libya 2-2 Botswana

Group I - Algeria 3-1 Zambia - Togo 1-0 Burundi

Group J - Mozambique 1-1 Senegal (Catamo / Jackson) - Sudan 1-0 Ethiopia (Mohamed Eisa)

Group K - Mali 3-1 Cape Verde - Rwanda 3-1 Liberia

Group L - Nigeria 2-1 Madagascar (Ilenikhena, Usor / Kari) - Tanzania 0-2 Guinea-Bissau

The big stories

Nigeria come from behind. Without Victor Osimhen, the Super Eagles went a goal down against Madagascar in Uyo before goals from George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor turned the game around. A vital win in a group with only one ticket available alongside hosts Tanzania.

South Africa strike first in Group D. In Pitso Mosimane's first qualifier back in charge, Bafana Bafana beat Guinea 2-1 in Soweto, taking an early advantage in the race for the group's only remaining ticket.

Ghana under pressure. Beaten 2-0 in Bouaké by Ivory Coast, the Black Stars now face a must-win home game against The Gambia, who beat Somalia.

Senegal held in Vieira's debut. Nicolas Jackson gave Senegal the lead, but Geny Catamo equalised just before half-time for Mozambique.

Next matchday

Matchday 2 takes place from 28 September to 1 October, with games including Ghana vs The Gambia, Congo vs Cameroon and Guinea vs Kenya. Find our predictions in our Today's tips section.

Read more

• AFCON 2027 qualifiers: schedule, groups and favourites
• Nigeria: Super Eagles AFCON 2027 qualifiers schedule
• Ghana: Black Stars AFCON 2027 qualifiers schedule
• South Africa: Bafana Bafana AFCON 2027 qualifiers schedule
• Egypt: Pharaohs AFCON 2027 qualifiers schedule
• Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania: AFCON 2027 hosts in the qualifiers

A prediction is never a certainty. If you bet, please do so responsibly. 18+ only.