Group A: Nigeria falls at home, Sierra Leone hopes
Guinea-Bissau stunned Nigeria at home in Abuja in the Group A clash. Despite dominating the Super Eagles, Mama Samba Baldé scored the only goal of the match for the Djurtus, giving them a head start on their opponents in the standings. The return match, this Monday, looks promising.
Behind, Sierra Leone and Sao Tome and Principe first drew in West Africa (2-2) then Sierra Leone took the better of its island opponent (0-2). The Leone Stars are only one point behind Nigeria and two behind Guinea-Bissau – but with one more game.
Group B: full card for Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso won in extremis against Togo (1-0), last in the group, continuing its winning streak in the CAN qualifiers. Sheriff Tiraspol player Abdul Tapsoba gave victory to his family by a header.
The other match in the group resulted in a dismal 0-0 between Cape Verde and Eswatini.
Group C: Cameroon stall against Namibia
At the Ahmadou-Ahidjo stadium, Cameroon stuck against Namibia (1-1). Endangered by Peter Shalulile's opening score, the "Indomitable Lions" had to wait for Olivier Kemen's equaliser in the 72nd to save a point. Rigobert Song's men can blame their clumsiness, with only two shots on target out of 17.
Burundi did not play, with Group C consisting of only three teams since Kenya was excluded from the competition.
Group D: Egypt recovers, Guinea follows suit
In the tightest group of all at the end of the second day – all teams were three points – woe betide the losers. Egypt was warned after its defeat in Ethiopia. The "Pharaohs" recovered perfectly against Malawi by winning 2-0.
In the other match of the group, Guinea won by the same score against Ethiopia. The Guineans opened the scoring in the first half with a goal from François Kamano before Mohamed Bayo doubled the lead in the second half.
Group E: Ghana in extremis, Angola second
It took until the very last moments of the match for Ghana to win against Angola. Antoine Semenyo delivered his own in the 96th minute. A victory in extremis that allows the "Black Stars" to consolidate their first place with seven points, while Angola finds itself in second position with four points.
The "Black Antelopes" are closely followed by the Central African Republic, who slapped Madagascar (3-0) and also has four points.
Group F: Algeria doing well, Tanzania wins East African derby
Algeria were aiming for the pass of three but almost fell to amazing Nigeriens. The "Menas" opened the scoring against the "Fennecs" thanks to Sosah in the first half. But Djamel Belmadi's men set the record straight in the second half thanks to the incoming Bounedjah and a stroke of genius from star Mahrez.
Tanzania are in second place in the group with four points, after beating Uganda 1-0 in the East African derby played in Cairo.
Group G: South Sudan dreams, Mali ever higher
Mali flies over the playoffs. The "Eagles" added a victory in their squad by beating Gambia 2-0. Now with nine points, they are almost qualified for Côte d'Ivoire.
Behind, after its victory against Congo (2-1), South Sudan is in second place thanks to the goal difference. The "Scorpions" can dream of a first qualification for the queen competition of the continent.
Group H: Zambia remains first, Haller scores for Ivory Coast
Côte d'Ivoire, already qualified for CAN-2024 as the host country, did not tremble against Comoros (3-1). A match in which Sébastien Haller, who returns from cancer, scored for his return with the "Elephants".
For its part, Zambia won against Lesotho (3-1), consolidating its first place in the group.
Group I: Gabon takes the lead, DRCongo last
Gabon had to work hard to snatch their second victory in Group I. The "Panthers", long barren, had to wait until the 72nd minute to open the scoring and defeat the "Crocodiles" of Sudan. At the finish, Patrice Neveu's men are in first place with seven points.
DR Congo, in bad shape after two days, offered itself some air. They got back on track by winning 3-1 in Lubumbashi against Mauritania but will have to confirm if they want to get out of last place and qualify for Ivory Coast.
Group J: Tunisia unbeaten
First in the pool at the start of the match, Tunisia is now unbeaten for three matches and has confirmed its defensive solidity by not conceding any goal. The "Eagles of Carthage" made only a mouthful of Libya (3-0) in this Maghreb derby.
Victorious against Botswana 2-0, Equatorial Guinea is in second place with six points, while the Botswanans are last with only one point.
Group K: South Africa ruined everything
While leading 2-0, South Africa was caught by Liberia, at 2-2. Bafana Bafana have just one point from a draw and will have to beat Liberia in Monrovia to remain optimistic.
Like Group C, Group K has only three teams since Zimbabwe was expelled from the competition. The last team is none other than Morocco, semi-finalist of the last World Cup, which walks on water. It offered itself a prestigious victory against Brazil in a friendly match (3-1).
Group L: Senegal impress
Defending champions Senegal showed their power by beating Mozambique 5-1. A victory that allows the "Lions of Teranga" to get closer to qualification to defend their title. Aliou Cissé's men need only one point to stamp their ticket to Côte d'Ivoire.
Mozambique are second with four points and will challenge the Senegalese again, this time in Maputo. Rwanda are third in the group after their 1-1 draw against Benin.
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