Bloemfontein hosted Morocco’s latest step towards the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, with Lesotho forced to stage their home qualifier in South Africa because they do not have an international-standard stadium. The reigning African champions, also quarter-finalists at the 2026 World Cup, won 2-0 for the second match running and moved clear at the top of Group A.
Morocco make their early move
Having opened their campaign with a 2-0 home victory over Gabon in Rabat last Thursday, Morocco repeated that scoreline against Lesotho. Brahim Díaz put the visitors ahead on 44 minutes, reacting to a loose ball in the penalty area after it had come off an opponent and finishing low.
Girona midfielder Azzedine Ounahi settled the contest eight minutes from time. He met Soufiane Brahim’s cutback with a composed, angled strike. Morocco now have six points and sole possession of first place in Group A.
Egypt, Ivory Coast and Cameroon set the pace
- Group B: Egypt recovered from a goalless opening draw with Angola in Cairo by beating South Sudan 5-0. Mohamed Salah was left out because the match was played on an artificial surface and there were concerns over possible injury. Omar Marmoush scored twice, in the 49th and 83rd minutes, while Mostafa Zico, Ibrahim Adel and Barcelona youngster Hamza Abdelkarim also found the net. Egypt lead on four points.
- Group C: Ivory Coast joined Gambia on six points at the summit after a 2-0 win over Somalia. Coventry’s Yann Gboho and Bazoumana Touré scored the goals.
- Group G: Cameroon earned a 1-1 draw away to Congo, helped by an own goal from goalkeeper Melvin Zinga, and lead the group with four points.
- Group I: Algeria remain first on four points despite drawing 2-2 in Burundi. Two goals down, they rescued a point through Mohamed Belloumi and Adil Boulbina.
Setbacks for Ghana, Nigeria and Cape Verde
Ghana’s difficult start deepened with a 4-2 home defeat to Gambia. With no points from their first two fixtures, Ghana are bottom of Group C and pressure is increasing on Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz.
Nigeria endured the other major shock of the round, losing 3-0 to Guinea-Bissau in Group L. Álvaro Djalo, the Athletic Club forward, scored in a commanding win for the new group leaders, who have six points. Nigeria had seven English Premier League players in their starting XI but are second on three points.
- Group H: Tunisia are third on two points after a 2-2 home draw against Botswana. Hazem Mastouri scored both Tunisian goals, while Uganda lead with four points.
- Group J: Patrick Vieira claimed his first victory as Senegal coach, following the opening 1-1 draw in Mozambique. Senegal beat Ethiopia 1-0 through Ibrahim Mbaye, now at Aston Villa after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, from an assist by club teammate Nico Jackson. Senegal are second, level on four points with Mozambique.
- Group K: Cape Verde, one of the standout teams at the last World Cup, lost 2-1 at home to Rwanda despite Vozinha starting in goal. They remain without a point after previously losing 3-1 to Mali. Rwanda and Mali, who won 1-0 in Liberia, each have six points.
The route to East Africa
The qualifying competition is divided into 12 groups, with the top two in each section progressing to the finals. Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will stage the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations between June and July.
