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

The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series commenced on Thursday with eight Match Day 1 fixtures played across Africa. Nigeria faced Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, with the match scheduled to kick off at 5pm local time. Nigeria will face Madagascar alongside Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania, who have already qualified for the 2027 AFCON finals. From Group L, only the top team among Nigeria, Madagascar, and Guinea-Bissau will secure the final qualification spot.

In Group C, Côte d'Ivoire won 2-0 against Ghana, with Malick Yalcouyé and Franck Kessié scoring for the hosts. Group E saw DR Congo defeat Equatorial Guinea 2-0, with Chancel Mbemba scoring an early goal and Yoane Wissa adding a second in the second half. Sierra Leone faced Zimbabwe 2-3, with Zimbabwe mounting a second-half comeback after leading at halftime.

Mauritania secured a 3-1 victory over Central African Republic, with Aboubakary Koïta, Dawda Camara and Mamadou Diallo scoring for the hosts. Namibia started their campaign with a 1-0 win over Congo, thanks to a goal from Bethuel Muzeu in the 47th minute. Cameroon dominated, beating Comoros 3-1, with David Roy Nyengue, Bryan Mbeumo and Daniel Namaso scoring, while Comoros briefly reduced the deficit through a free-kick.

Tunisia drew 1-1 with Uganda, with Ali Arous scoring for the hosts and Rogers Mato equalizing for the visitors. Libya fought back to earn a 2-2 draw against Botswana, with Tumisang Orebonye finding the net twice for Botswana and Maruwan Alhibeeshi and Ezoo El Mariamy, including a penalty in stoppage time, leveling the match.

Friday's fixtures include Niger v Lesotho, Morocco v Gabon in Group A; Malawi v South Sudan and Egypt v Angola in Group B; Gambia v Somalia in Group C; Burkina Faso v Benin in Group F; and Togo v Burundi, Algeria v Zambia in Group I.