Former champions Ghana and Nigeria, as well as World Cup surprise package Cape Verde, were beaten on Tuesday in a shock-riddled 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. Ghana led by two goals before conceding twice in each half in Accra to lose 4-2 to Gambia, with two of the visitors’ goals coming from Ebrima Colley in Group C. Nigeria were behind after 15 minutes away to Guinea-Bissau in Group L and finished as humiliating 3-0 losers to a nation 106 places lower in the world rankings.
Cape Verde held eventual champions Spain in their World Cup debut and took Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina to extra time in the round of 32 before bowing out. But after being outplayed in Mali last week in Group K, they surrendered a lead at home to Rwanda and lost 2-1 to opponents whose sole AFCON finals appearance came 22 years ago. Algeria, two-time winners of the premier African national team competition, trailed by two goals in Burundi before clawing back to force a 2-2 Group I draw. Morocco won 2-0, Senegal 1-0 and Egypt cruised to a 5-0 victory despite the absence of captain and star forward Mohamed Salah. Senegal’s win in Ethiopia via an Ibrahim Mbaye goal gave France’s 1998 World Cup winner Patrick Vieira his first victory since debuting as coach last week with a draw in Mozambique.
Coventry City striker Yann Gboho came off the bench to score in the 89th minute, and Newcastle United midfielder Bazoumana Toure added a second goal deep into added time.
