CAN 2027 qualifiers: Morocco and Algeria win, Egypt held in check

• Morocco wins the clash against Gabon

The CAN 2027 qualifiers continued on the evening of Friday, September 25, with several matches on the program, including this Group A clash between the Atlas Lions and the Panthers. And it was Morocco that did well by winning against Gabon (2-0) at the Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium in Rabat.

The Moroccan Noussair Mazraoui first opened the scoring with a personal exploit (36th) before Soufiane Rahimi ensured victory for his team at the end of the match (84th). On the next day, Morocco will face Lesotho while Gabon will face Niger.

Also readCAN 2027: seven stories to follow during the first two days of the qualifiers

• Algeria quietly wins against Zambia

The Fennecs succeeded in their first qualifying match for CAN 2027 by clearly winning against Chipolopolo (3-1) in Group I in Tizi-Ouzou. Algeria hit the ground running and scored in the first minutes thanks to Jaouen Hadjam (1-0, 2nd).

But Zambia was able to get back into the game with a goal from Fashion Sakala (1-1, 57th), before the Algerians definitively regained the advantage with goals from Ibrahim Maza (2-1, 67th) and Anis Hadj Moussa (3-1, 74th). Algeria will meet Burundi on the next day, and Zambia will face Togo.

• Egypt comes up against Angola

The Pharaohs did not manage to get the better of the Palancas Negras (0-0) for their first meeting in Group B at the Cairo International Stadium. In this closed and very tactical match, neither nation ultimately made the difference on the scoreboard.

Hossam Hassan’s men will have to aim better on the next day against South Sudan, while Angola will have the opportunity to continue their good start in these qualifications against Malawi.

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• Nigeria scares itself but overthrows Madagascar

In group L, the Super Eagles were scared but finally overthrew the Barea (2-1) at the Godswill Akpabio international stadium in Uyo. Eric Chelle’s men, largely given as favourites, were however initially surprised by the Malagasy without any complexes, like Ehsan Kari who opened the scoring with a header in Madagascar’s first offensive situation (1-0, 16th).

But Nigeria’s vast domination in this meeting ended up paying off. First with a cross shot from George Ilenikhena just before half-time (1-1, 45th+1). Then with a number on the right side from Moses Usor, who gave his team the advantage (2-1, 65th).

• Mali begins with a success against Cape Verde

The Eagles clearly dominated the Blue Sharks (3-1) at the 26-Mars stadium in Bamako during the first day of group K. counting for the CAN 2027 qualifiers. Mali took the match from the right end by opening the score thanks to Martial Tia (1-0, 5th). But Cape Verde quickly got back on track with Sidny Cabral (1-1, 10th).

Mali’s salvation finally came from Nene Dorgeles, author of a saving double for her team in the first period (2-1, 39th) and during the second act (3-1, 51st). On the next day, the Eagles will meet Liberia while Cape Verde will face Rwanda.

Also readCAN 2027 qualifiers: Cameroon provides the essentials against the Comoros

• Burkina Faso and Benin neutralize each other

In group F, the Stallions and the Cheetahs were unable to decide between themselves (1-1) at the 4-Août stadium in Ouagadougou. Each selection had its period, with the opening score first for Burkina Faso thanks to Lassina Traoré from the penalty spot (20th). Then Benin got back on track, also from the penalty spot, with a successful shot from Aiyegun Tosin (68th).

On the next day, the Stallions will meet the Central African Republic while the Cheetahs will host Mauritania.