{
  "id": 10813207,
  "title": "Ghana, Nigeria and Cape Verde crash in AFCON qualifying",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/ghana-nigeria-and-cape-verde-crash-in-afcon-qualifying",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-30T00:26:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/football/2026/09/1544332/ghana-nigeria-and-cape-verde-crash-afcon-qualifying"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former champions Ghana and Nigeria, as well as World Cup surprise packages Cape Verde, were defeated in shocking 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches. Ghana led by two goals before conceding multiple times in each half against Gambia, with two of Gambia's goals scored by Ebrima Colley in Group C. Nigeria fell behind early in their match against Guinea-Bissau in Group L, ultimately suffering a 3-0 loss to a team ranked 106 places lower in world rankings. Cape Verde, who had previously held Spain in their World Cup debut and matched Argentina to extra time in the round of 32, lost 2-1 to Rwanda after a strong first match against Mali in Group K. Algeria, the twice winners of the premier African national team competition, drew 2-2 with Burundi in Group I, while Morocco, Senegal, and Egypt secured away victories in matchday two qualifiers.",
  "summary": "JOHANNESBURG: Former champions Ghana and Nigeria as well as World Cup surprise packages Cape Verde were beaten on Tuesday in shock-riddled 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Guinea-Bissau defeat Nigeria 3-0 in AFCON qualifier",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/guinea-bissau-defeat-nigeria-3-0-in-afcon-qualifier",
        "published": "2026-09-29T18:10:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Premium Times",
        "title": "Guinea-Bissau thrash Nigeria 3-0",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/guinea-bissau-thrash-nigeria-3-0",
        "published": "2026-09-29T18:37:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Ghana, Nigeria and Cape Verde crash in Afcon qualifying",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/ghana-nigeria-and-cape-verde-crash-in-afcon-qualifying",
        "published": "2026-09-29T22:06:33.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Morocco call off Ghana friendly after Black Stars’ AFCON setback",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/morocco-call-off-ghana-friendly-after-black-stars-afcon-setback",
        "published": "2026-09-29T22:36:25.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}