Libya beat Tunisia 2-0 in Sfax and Kenya drew 2-2 away to group leaders South Africa on Friday in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers, while Nigeria beat Tanzania 3-1 and Ethiopia won 1-0 in Mozambique.
The results tighten several groups at the halfway point of the campaign. Tunisia have two points from three matches and are without a win in nine games, the French daily Ouest-France reported. Three more matches were due to kick off later on Friday, including Egypt against Malawi and Morocco against Niger.
How did Libya beat Tunisia in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers?
Libya scored either side of half-time in Group H. Ali Youssef converted a penalty in the 44th minute and El Houni added the second in the 62nd, according to Ouest-France. It was Libya’s first win of the campaign and lifts them to four points, level with Uganda, who play Botswana on Saturday.
Tunisia stay on two points after draws in their first two matches. The two sides meet again on Tuesday 17 November, with Libya as the home team.
What happened between South Africa and Kenya in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers?
South Africa led twice at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg but were held 2-2, the French-language site Africa Top Sports reported. An own goal by the Kenya defender Wanjala put the hosts ahead in the ninth minute, and Michael Olunga levelled from the penalty spot in the 44th after a handball.
Relebohile Mofokeng restored South Africa’s lead in the 77th minute after a one-two with Lyle Foster, before Kenya equalised in the closing moments. The report did not name the scorer of the second Kenya goal.
South Africa, coached by Pitso Mosimane, had won their first two Group D matches and now have seven points, one more than Guinea. Kenya, under the former South Africa striker Benni McCarthy, have two points from three games.
Which other teams won in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers on Friday?
Nigeria beat Tanzania 3-1 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. Alhassan Yusuf scored in the second minute and Alphonce Msanga equalised in the 32nd, before Tolu Arokodare scored twice, in the 52nd and 60th minutes, Africa Top Sports said. Ademola Lookman, who set up the opening goal, went off injured before half-time, the same report said. Nigeria have six points in Group L, one behind Guinea-Bissau.
Ethiopia won 1-0 away to Mozambique in Group J through an 87th-minute goal by Canaan Markneh, the Confederation of African Football said in its match report. Mozambique had taken four points from their first two games.
Burkina Faso beat Mauritania 1-0 in Ouagadougou with a stoppage-time goal by Elohim Kaboré, and Cape Verde beat Liberia 4-2 for their first win of the campaign, Africa Top Sports reported. Gabon beat Lesotho 2-0 with two goals from Denis Bouanga, one a penalty, according to Sport News Africa.
Two matches were drawn. Burundi equalised in the 83rd minute through Jean Girumugisha to hold Zambia 1-1 after Edward Chilufya’s opener, and Comoros and Congo finished 0-0 in Moroni, CAF said.
What comes next in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers?
Matchday three ends on Saturday with Uganda against Botswana, Algeria against Togo and Angola against South Sudan. The reverse fixtures follow on Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 November, when Ethiopia host Mozambique and Kenya host South Africa.
Thursday’s matches in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers, in which Ivory Coast and Senegal won and Ghana beat Somalia, opened the round. The finals will be hosted jointly by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Tanzania are already assured of a place as co-hosts, Africa Top Sports said.
FAQ
What were Friday’s results in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers?
Tunisia 0-2 Libya, South Africa 2-2 Kenya, Nigeria 3-1 Tanzania, Mozambique 0-1 Ethiopia, Burkina Faso 1-0 Mauritania, Cape Verde 4-2 Liberia, Gabon 2-0 Lesotho, Zambia 1-1 Burundi and Comoros 0-0 Congo. Three later matches are not included.
Who scored for Nigeria against Tanzania in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers?
Alhassan Yusuf scored in the second minute and Tolu Arokodare scored twice in the second half, according to Africa Top Sports.
Where does the result leave Tunisia?
Tunisia have two points from three Group H matches in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers and have gone nine games without a win, Ouest-France reported. They play Libya again on 17 November.
Who hosts the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations?
Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are joint hosts of the tournament.
