Guinea-Bissau produced the standout result of Friday’s early TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers with a 2-0 away victory over co-hosts Tanzania.
Mozambique also frustrated Senegal by holding the Lions of Teranga to a 1-1 draw in Patrick Vieira’s first competitive match in charge, despite Nicolas Jackson giving Senegal the lead. Sudan made a winning start to their campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Ethiopia, scoring late to take all three points.
The results provided an eventful opening to Friday’s programme as the race for places at the 2027 finals in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda continued.
Tanzania are already guaranteed their place at the tournament as co-hosts, meaning Guinea-Bissau’s victory could prove particularly significant in Group L, where the other three teams are effectively battling for one qualifying place.
Tanzania 0-2 Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau caused a major upset by beating Tanzania 2-0 away from home to make an impressive start in Group L.
Franculino Djú put the visitors ahead in the 33rd minute before Mama Baldé doubled the advantage in the 58th minute to silence the home supporters.
Tanzania attempted to respond with several second-half substitutions but were unable to break down a disciplined Guinea-Bissau side. The result is particularly significant because Tanzania are one of the three co-hosts of AFCON 2027 and are therefore already guaranteed a place at the finals.
Only the highest-placed team apart from Tanzania will qualify from Group L, leaving Guinea-Bissau competing directly with Nigeria and Madagascar for the remaining ticket.
That makes three away points against the co-hosts an important early advantage. For Tanzania, meanwhile, the defeat provides an early warning that competitive qualifying matches will remain important preparation ahead of a tournament they will stage alongside Kenya and Uganda.
