The second round of the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations saw a remarkable presence of Arab teams today, with eight nations competing on the same day in the race for qualification to the finals scheduled to be held in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Egypt showcased a dominant performance, defeating South Sudan with a resounding 5-0 victory. Morocco continued its winning streak with a second consecutive triumph, while Algeria made a strong comeback from a two-goal deficit to draw with Burundi. Additionally, Comoros celebrated their first win against Namibia, while Sudan suffered its first loss against Mozambique, and Libya was edged out 1-0 by Uganda.
Egypt Regains Confidence with a Five-Goal Streak
Egypt's national team regained its composure following a shaky start in the qualifiers, securing a commanding 5-0 victory against their hosts, South Sudan, in Juba. This win elevates Egypt's points to four in Group B. The Pharaohs had previously opened their campaign with a goalless draw against Angola in Cairo but showcased a significantly improved offensive display in this match, despite the absence of their captain, Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian Football Association cited concerns over the artificial pitch as the reason for Salah's absence from the squad. Mustafa Abd El-Raouf, known as 'Ziko,' initiated the scoring in the 36th minute, followed by Omar Marmoush netting a second goal just after halftime. Substitute Ibrahim Adel extended Egypt's lead in the 75th minute, and Marmoush added his second in the 83rd minute, with Hamza Abdel Karim wrapping up the scoring in injury time, marking his first international goal. With this victory, Egypt now has four points, while South Sudan remains scoreless, with group action continuing on October 6 as Angola faces Malawi.
Morocco Continues Its Perfect Start
Morocco maintained its flawless start in the qualifiers, securing a 2-0 victory over Lesotho in Bloemfontein, South Africa, marking their second consecutive win in Group A. The Atlas Lions controlled much of the match but had to wait until the 45th minute to open the scoring through Ibrahim Diaz. Morocco sustained its dominance in the second half, and Azedine Ounahi sealed the victory with a second goal in the 82nd minute, assisted by Sofiane Rahimi. Having begun the qualifiers with a similar 2-0 win against Gabon, Morocco now boasts six points from two matches, scoring four goals without conceding any. They temporarily top the group as they await the outcome of the Gabon versus Niger match later today.
As reported by aljazeera.net.
