AFCON 2027 qualifiers: Day 1 results, fixtures as Nigeria face Madagascar

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The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series began on Thursday with eight Match Day 1 fixtures played across the continent, with Nigeria set to begin their campaign against Madagascar on Friday (today).

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The Super Eagles will host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, in Group L, with kick-off scheduled for 5pm Nigerian time.n

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Nigeria are drawn alongside Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and co-hosts Tanzania, who are already guaranteed a place at the 2027 AFCON finals.

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The arrangement means only the highest-placed team among Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau will secure the remaining qualification spot from Group L.

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Nigeria’s second Group L fixture will be away to Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday, while Madagascar will face Tanzania.

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Thursday’s results

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Group C
nCôte d’Ivoire 2-0 Ghanan

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The Elephants opened their campaign with a comfortable victory over Ghana, with Malick Yalcouyé and Franck Kessié scoring for the hosts.

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Group E
nDR Congo 2-0 Equatorial Guinea

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Chancel Mbemba gave DR Congo an early lead before Yoane Wissa doubled the advantage in the second half.

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Group E
nSierra Leone 2-3 Zimbabwen

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Sierra Leone led 2-0 at half-time through Alie Conteh and Sallieu Tarawallie, but Zimbabwe mounted a second-half comeback. Marshall Munetsi scored twice, while Tawanda Chirewa also found the net to secure a 3-2 victory.

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Group F
nMauritania 3-1 Central African Republic

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Mauritania recovered from a first-half setback to claim a 3-1 victory, with Aboubakary Koïta, Dawda Camara and Mamadou Diallo scoring for the hosts.

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Group G
nNamibia 1-0 Congo

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Bethuel Muzeu scored in the 47th minute as Namibia began their campaign with a narrow victory.

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Group G
nCameroon 3-1 Comorosn

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David Roy Nyengue, Bryan Mbeumo and Daniel Namaso scored as Cameroon secured a 3-1 win, with Comoros briefly reducing the deficit through a free-kick goal.

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Group H
nTunisia 1-1 Ugandan

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Tunisia were held to a 1-1 draw by Uganda, with Ali Arous putting the hosts ahead before Rogers Mato equalised for the visitors.

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Group H
nLibya 2-2 Botswanan

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Botswana surrendered a two-goal lead as Libya fought back to earn a point. Tumisang Orebonye scored twice for Botswana before Maruwan Alhibeeshi and Ezoo El Mariamy, from the penalty spot in stoppage time, levelled the contest.

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Friday’s fixtures

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Group A: Niger v Lesotho, Morocco v Gabon
nGroup B: Malawi v South Sudan, Egypt v Angola
nGroup C: Gambia v Somalia
nGroup F: Burkina Faso v Benin
nGroup I: Togo v Burundi, Algeria v Zambia
nGroup J: Sudan v Ethiopia, Senegal v Mozambique
nGroup K: Rwanda v Liberia, Mali v Cape Verde
nGroup L: Tanzania v Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria v Madagascarn

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The Match Day 1 programme will be completed on Saturday with Kenya facing Eritrea and South Africa taking on Guinea.

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