* Ghana end three-year AfCON qualifying winless run with victory over Somalia as DR Congo extend perfect run
* With Equatorial Guinea drawing 0-0 with Zimbabwe and Madagascar holding Guinea-Bissau 1-1
Maravi Express
Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon and Benin all claimed important victories on Thursday as Matchday 3 of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Pamoja 2027 qualifiers produced another evening of drama across the continent.
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Senegal recovered from conceding a first-half equaliser to defeat Sudan 4-1 in their Group J encounter in Dakar, while Côte d’Ivoire maintained their perfect start to the campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over The Gambia.
Cameroon were comfortable 2-0 winners against Namibia in Douala, and Benin continued their impressive form with a 4-1 success against Central African Republic in Abidjan.
The Teranga Lions are three points ahead of second-placed Mozambique, who have played one game fewer, while Sudan remain on three points and Ethiopia have yet to get off the mark.
Côte d’Ivoire made it three wins from three matches in Group C as they held off a determined Gambia side to claim a 2-1 victory in Bouaké for the Elephants to move to nine points and opened a three-point lead over The Gambia, who suffered their first defeat of the qualifying campaign.
The result also offered encouragement to Ghana, who defeated Somalia 1-0 earlier on Thursday to register their first victory of the campaign after successive defeats.
Ghana now have three points, keeping them within striking distance of second-placed Gambia in the race for qualification.
Ghana also ended a three-year wait for victory in AfCON qualifying dating back to November 2023, providing a much-needed boost to a team seeking to avoid another disappointing qualifying campaign.
Through goals from defender Jonas Adjetey and striker Felix Afena-Gyan, the Black Stars’ secured their first three points in Group C after defeats in their opening two qualifiers against Côte d’Ivoire and Gambia.
Cameroon moved to the top of Group G with seven points from three matches after a convincing 2-0 home victory over Namibia.
The Indomitable Lions have now opened a four-point advantage over second-placed Comoros, although the island nation have played one match fewer.
Benin also strengthened their qualification hopes with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Central African Republic in their Group F encounter in Abidjan.
Benin moved to seven points from three matches to take control of Group F, while Central African Republic remain without a point after three successive defeats.
DR Congo strengthened their position at the top of Group E with an impressive 3-1 victory over Sierra Leone, their third successive win in Group E.
Yoane Wissa gave the Leopards a dream start, opening the scoring in the fourth minute after an assist from Nathanaël Mbuku.
Samuel Moutoussamy doubled the advantage in the 35th minute, putting the hosts firmly in control before the interval.
The Congolese continued to dominate after the break, with Edo Kayembe adding a third in the 58th minute following a pass from Arthur Masuaku.
Sierra Leone refused to surrender and pulled a goal back through substitute Stephen Bekoe in the 83rd minute, but the visitors could not mount a further comeback.
The result takes DR Congo to nine points from three matches, strengthening their position at the summit of Group E.
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Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe played out to a 0-0 draw in Group E — a result that leaves Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe on four points each after three matches, with both teams facing renewed pressure ahead of their return fixture in Zimbabwe on Monday.
Madagascar drew 1-1 with Guinea-Bissau after taking the lead in the 59th minute before the visitors equalised in the 84th — denying the hosts their first victory of the qualifying campaign
The result ensured Guinea-Bissau maintained their unbeaten record after winning their first two matches with Madagascar proving difficult opponents in a closely contested encounter.
After a goalless first half, Warren Caddy broke the deadlock for Madagascar in the 59th minute, putting the island nation on course for an important victory.
The hosts attempted to protect their narrow advantage, making several substitutions as the visitors searched for an equaliser.
Guinea-Bissau eventually found a breakthrough in the 84th minute when Renato Nhaga restored parity, following an assist from Tombie Vieira.
The draw moves Guinea-Bissau to seven points from three matches, keeping them in a strong position in Group L.
Both teams will meet again on Tuesday when Madagascar will seek to improve their qualification prospects.
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