AFCON 2027 qualifiers: Top teams dominate opening Matchday Three fixtures

Ghana earn first points against Somalia

The Black Stars defeated Somalia 2-0 at the Essipong Sports Stadium in Sekondi-Takoradi on Thursday to claim their first win of the qualifiers.

VfL Wolfsburg defender Adjei Adjetey opened the scoring for Ghana in injury time of the first half before Igdir FK forward Felix Afena-Gyan sealed the win in the 62nd minute.

Elsewhere in Group C, the Ivory Coast edged a stubborn Gambia 2-1 in Bouake to maintain their perfect record in the group.

The Elephants opened the scoring early through Malick Yalcouye before Nice forward Elye Wahi doubled the lead at the half-hour mark before the Gambia captain Musa Barrow pulled one back shortly before half-time.

However, the Ivorians were able to preserve their lead in the second half and win the match.

Senegal hammer Sudan

Senegal moved closer to qualification with an impressive 4-1 victory over Sudan in their Group J fixture in Dakar.

Aston Villa striker Nicolas Jackson put the Teranga Lions in front at the half-hour mark, but Sudan pulled one back before half time through Mohamed Abuaagla.

The home side increased their intensity in the second half with Boulaye Dia restoring the lead prior to Ibrahim Mbaye adding a third goal.

Phathe Mboup completed the scoring late in the match for Senegal as their pulled three points ahead of second-placed Mozambique.

DRC sweep past Sierra Leone

The Leopards continued their perfect record in Group E with a convincing 3-1 victory over Sierra Leone in Kinshasa on Thursday.

Newcastle United attacker Yoane Wissa gave the Congolese the lead in the fourth minute from a Nathanael Mbuku assist before Samuel Moutoussamy doubled the scoreline ten minutes before half-time.

Edo Kayembe (58') added a third goal after the DRC had dominated the opening stanza of the second half, but Sierra Leone got a consolation goal through substitute Stephen Bekoe in the 83rd minute.

In another Group E clash, Equatorial Guinea played to a goalless draw against Zimbabwe in their Group E clash despite dominating the match, but could not find a winner, leaving both teams tied on four points apiece, five behind leaders Democratic Republic of Congo.

Cameroon defeat Namibia

The Indomitable Lions beat Namibia 2-0 in Douala on Thursday to move to the top of Group G with seven points from three matches.

Cameroon took an early lead through Saidou Alioum's deflected 16th minute strike, with Bil Songo doubling the advantage in the 29th minute with a well taken finish.

The Brave Warriors failed to create chances or trouble the home sides defence in the second half as the host held resolute to claim three points.

Benin trounce CAR

Benin defeated Central African Republic 4-1 in their Group F encounter in Abidjan to boost their qualification hopes.

Lorient forward Aiyegun Tosin scored a brace in the second half after goals from Imourane Hassane and Radolfo Aloko to put the game beyond doubt after the sides had been level at 1-1 during the first half.

Louis Mafouta had scored the earlier equalizer for CAR before Benin ran riot to take control of the group.

Guinea-Bissau snatch late point against Madagascar

Guinea-Bissau claimed a late 1-1 draw against Madagascar at home in their Group L encounter.

The two teams had a goalless first half with few opportunities created before Warren Caddy gave the visitors a surprise lead in the 59th minute.

Guinea-Bissau coach rung the changes in search of an equalizer and was eventually rewarded in the 84th minute when Renato Nhaga scored following an assist from Tombie Vieira.

The draw keeps the West Africans at the top of the group with seven points from three matches.

In another clash on Thursday, Guinea moved level on points with South Africa at the top of Group D with a 2-1 victory against bottom placed Eritrea.