In a thrilling display during the early TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifying matches, Egypt showcased their prowess by delivering the most significant victory, defeating South Sudan with an impressive scoreline of 5-0. This match was not the only highlight of the day, as Mozambique also made waves with a convincing 4-1 triumph over Sudan.
Match Highlights and Key Performances
Morocco continued their flawless campaign, securing a 2-0 win over Lesotho, while Senegal claimed their first victory under the leadership of Patrick Vieira, narrowly beating Ethiopia 1-0. However, Algeria experienced a setback, dropping their first points after coming back from a two-goal deficit to settle for a 2-2 draw against Burundi in Group I. These results have further intensified the qualification race following the initial round of matches held last week.
In the match between Burundi and Algeria, the latter managed to salvage a draw despite a rocky start. Within just twelve minutes, Burundi surged ahead with a two-goal lead, thanks to an own goal from Algeria's Farès Chaïbi and a strike from Jean Girumugisha. Algeria responded effectively with a goal from Mohamed El Amine Belloumi in the 30th minute, reigniting their hopes for a comeback. Although Algeria faced additional challenges, including an injury to Himad Abdelli before halftime, they persisted and ultimately equalized through Adil Boulbina in the 63rd minute. This performance left Algeria with four points from their first two qualifiers after their earlier win against Zambia.
In another closely contested match, Senegal's Ibrahim Mbaye scored an early goal to secure a 1-0 victory against Ethiopia, marking a successful outing for the team under Vieira's management. The game saw Senegal maintain their lead throughout, despite Ethiopia's attempts to equalize. As a result, Senegal collected three crucial points, moving to four points after two matches.
Morocco's match against Lesotho was marked by a patient approach, with Brahim Diaz finally breaking the deadlock just before halftime. The Atlas Lions added a second goal in the 82nd minute through Azzedine Ounahi, solidifying their position at the top of Group A with six points from their opening two fixtures.
Mozambique's emphatic 4-1 victory over Sudan was particularly noteworthy, with the team showcasing a dominant second-half performance. After leading 1-0 at halftime, Mozambique quickly extended their advantage after the break, ultimately netting four goals and leaving Sudan with a late consolation penalty.
Finally, Egypt's commanding performance against South Sudan featured standout contributions from Omar Marmoush, who scored twice. After initially taking the lead with Mostafa Zico's goal, Egypt surged ahead in the second half, culminating in a decisive five-goal display that positions them well in Group B with four points from their opening matches.
Comoros also celebrated their first victory in the qualifiers, edging past Namibia with a 1-0 win, thanks to a goal from Benjaloud Youssouf. This victory was crucial for Comoros following their earlier defeat to Cameroon, while Namibia, despite making several attempts, could not find the equalizer.
As reported by cafonline.com.
