The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign delivered a series of seismic results on Tuesday, as heavyweights Ghana and Nigeria were both dealt unexpected defeats. The shock losses have left both nations facing significant pressure early in their respective group stages, marking a turbulent night for some of the continent's most storied football programs.
In Accra, Ghana appeared to be in control after establishing a two-goal lead, but the match took a dramatic turn as Gambia mounted a stunning comeback. The visitors, coached by Carlos Queiroz, leveled the score by halftime through goals from Mohamed Badamosi and Omar Colley. Ebrima Colley then struck twice in the second half to secure a 4-2 victory for Gambia, leaving the Black Stars at the bottom of Group C following their previous defeat to Ivory Coast.
Upsets and Struggles Across the Continent
Nigeria’s campaign hit a new low in their Group L encounter against Guinea-Bissau. Despite entering the match as heavy favorites against an opponent ranked 106 places below them, the Super Eagles were outclassed in a 3-0 defeat. Franculino Dju opened the scoring in the 15th minute, followed by a second-half strike from Mama Balde. Substitute Alvaro Djalo added a third goal in stoppage time to complete a miserable evening for a Nigerian side missing the injured Victor Osimhen.
Cape Verde, who had previously impressed on the global stage, also faltered at home. Despite taking an early lead through Benchimol against Rwanda, the hosts conceded an equalizer in first-half stoppage time from Claude Niyomugabo. Elie Tatou scored the decisive goal seven minutes after the break to hand Rwanda a 2-1 win. Elsewhere, Algeria managed to salvage a 2-2 draw against Burundi after trailing by two goals, showing resilience in a challenging Group I fixture.
Contrasting Fortunes for Continental Giants
While the giants struggled, other powerhouses maintained their momentum with professional away performances. Morocco secured a 2-0 victory over Lesotho, and Senegal claimed a narrow 1-0 win against Ethiopia, marking a first victory for new head coach Patrick Vieira. Egypt, even without captain Mohamed Salah—who was rested due to concerns over the artificial pitch in Juba—cruised to a dominant 5-0 win over South Sudan.
The Ivory Coast also secured a result in Group C, though they were forced to wait until the final moments to break down a resilient Somalia side. Yann Gboho netted in the 89th minute, followed by a stoppage-time goal from Bazoumana Toure to seal a 2-0 win. As the qualifying rounds progress, the focus now shifts to the upcoming November fixtures, where the struggling nations will be desperate to regain their footing.
