The 2027 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers got off to an exciting start on Friday, September 25, 2026, with several surprising results. Guinea-Bissau pulled off a stunning 2-0 away victory over co-hosts Tanzania in Group L. This win could prove crucial as Tanzania is already guaranteed a spot in the finals, and the other three teams in the group are vying for the remaining qualifying spot.
In another match, Mozambique frustrated Senegal with a 1-1 draw in Patrick Vieira's first competitive match as coach. Nicolas Jackson gave Senegal the lead in the 32nd minute, but Mozambique's Geny Catamo equalized just before halftime. Despite several attacking options, including Jackson and Ismaila Sarr, Senegal was unable to find a winner. This draw marks Senegal's first under Vieira, who is beginning a new cycle without Sadio Mané due to a physical issue.
The match between Mozambique and Senegal was a closely contested affair, with both teams creating scoring opportunities. However, neither side could capitalize on their chances, resulting in a 1-1 stalemate. For Mozambique, securing a draw against one of Africa's strongest teams is an encouraging start to their Group J campaign. Vieira, on the other hand, will look to build on this performance in future matches.
Guinea-Bissau's victory over Tanzania was a major upset, with Franculino Djú scoring the opening goal in the 33rd minute and Mama Baldé doubling the lead in the 58th minute. Tanzania's attempts to respond were thwarted by a disciplined Guinea-Bissau defense. This win gives Guinea-Bissau a significant advantage in Group L, where they are competing with Nigeria and Madagascar for the remaining qualifying spot.
In Group J, Sudan began their campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Ethiopia. Mohamed Eisa scored the decisive goal in the 86th minute, securing all three points for Sudan. This win provides Sudan with a valuable start in a group that also contains Senegal and Mozambique. With Senegal dropping points earlier in the day, Sudan's victory gives them an important position in the qualification race.
Ethiopia will be disappointed after conceding a late goal and losing the match. Sudan has shown in recent international campaigns that they can be difficult to break down, and another disciplined performance was enough to earn them an opening victory. Their next fixtures will provide a clearer indication of whether they can turn that defensive resilience into a sustained challenge for qualification.
The results from Friday's matches have set the tone for what promises to be a competitive qualification campaign. With several teams vying for spots in the 2027 finals, the race is on for teams to secure their place in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The upcoming matches will be crucial in determining the final lineup for the tournament.
Key points
- Guinea-Bissau's 2-0 victory over Tanzania could prove significant in Group L.
- Mozambique's 1-1 draw with Senegal marks Senegal's first draw under coach Patrick Vieira.
- Sudan's 1-0 victory over Ethiopia gives them an important start in Group J.
