AFCON2027Q: Mazraoui and Lopes Cabral make their mark, as Nigeria and Senegal start with mixed fortunes

Nigeria opened their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 2-1 comeback win over Madagascar, while Senegal were held to a 1-1 draw by Mozambique in Patrick Vieira's first match in charge.The Super Eagles had to work hard for the three points without injured striker Victor Osimhen. Madagascar stunned the hosts in the 16th minute when Ehsan Kari headed home from a corner, with Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali caught appealing for offside rather than dealing with the danger.##LINKED_NEWS_69333##The favourites finally found a way through in first-half stoppage time. Alex Iwobi's excellent pass released George Ilenikhena, who calmly slotted into the bottom corner to level.The 20-year-old was wearing Nigeria's No.9 shirt – Osimhen's number – and the injured striker watched from the stands before celebrating wildly with his young teammate.The Super Eagles continued to push after the break and completed the turnaround when substitute Moses Usor cut inside from the right and fired into the near corner just four minutes after coming on in his senior debut.##TWITTER_<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Moses Usor’s match-winning second goal in today&#39;s 2-1 AFCON qualifier victory over Madagascar showcased a dazzling mix of dribbling flair, spatial awareness, directness, and clinical finish 🔥💪🏾<br><br>​Coming off the bench on his senior Super Eagles debut, to fearlessly drove directly… <a href="https://t.co/A3nKVFitwf">pic.twitter.com/A3nKVFitwf</a></p>&mdash; Deyks (@deyksplus) <a href="https://x.com/deyksplus/status/2103587896452387177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>##The win could prove crucial in Group L. Tanzania have already secured a place at the 2027 AFCON as one of the hosts alongside Kenya and Uganda, leaving Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau fighting for the group's remaining qualification spot. Guinea-Bissau, who beat Tanzania 2-0 in their opener, are Nigeria's next opponents on Tuesday.Senegal, meanwhile, were forced to settle for a point in Mozambique as Patrick Vieira's coaching reign began with a 1-1 draw. Nicolas Jackson put the Lions of Teranga ahead, but Geny Catamo equalised for the hosts in first-half stoppage time.##TWITTER_<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">Le Senegal tenu en échec 1/1 par le Mozambique pour la 1ere de Viera sur le banc Senegalais. <br>L’état lamentable de la pelouse n’a surement pas aidé <a href="https://t.co/DefjKzCySs">pic.twitter.com/DefjKzCySs</a></p>&mdash; M. (@DZmomo62) <a href="https://x.com/DZmomo62/status/2103514969975243186?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>##Morocco made a winning start, beating Gabon 2-0 as the Atlas Lions opened a new era for their opponents following Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's international retirement.Manchester United's Noussair Mazraoui broke the deadlock with a superb long-range strike before Sofyan Rahimi sealed the victory six minutes from time. Gabon had chances to respond late on, but Yassine Bounou stood firm to preserve Morocco's clean sheet.16.00: (1.40) Kenya (4.20) Eritrea (7.75)Elsewhere, Senegal were held to a 1-1 draw by Mozambique. Nicolas Jackson put the Teranga Lions ahead before Geny Catamo equalised in first-half stoppage time. Senegal therefore trail Sudan in Group J after Sudan beat Ethiopia 1-0.Cabo Verde, meanwhile, were handed a 3-1 defeat by Mali despite another memorable contribution from Sidny Lopes Cabral. ##TWITTER_<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨 Sidny Lopes Cabral scores for equalizing!<br><br>🇲🇱 Mali 1-1 Cape Verde 🇨🇻<a href="https://t.co/M4rhldEHTL">pic.twitter.com/M4rhldEHTL</a></p>&mdash; Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) <a href="https://x.com/GoalsXtra/status/2103563840776532318?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>##The forward, whose spectacular goal against Argentina was widely regarded as one of the highlights of the World Cup, equalised after 10 minutes. But Cabo Verde lacked enough attacking threat thereafter, with Dorgeles Nene scoring twice to secure all three points for Mali.2027 AFCON QUALIFIERSRound 1ThursdayNamibia – Congo 1-0 (0-0)/Muzeu 47/DR Congo – Equatiorial Guinea 2-0 (1-0)/Mbemba 4, Wissa 72/Libya – Botswana 2-2 (0-2)/Al Hbeishi 87, Al Mariami 90+6 pen – Orebonye 30,42/Mauritania – CAR 3-1 (1-0)/Koita 32 pen, Camara 69, Diallo 89 – Koyalipou 48/Cameroon – Comoros 2-1 (1-0)/Nyengue 39, Mbeumo 48, Namaso 81 – Omari 51/Ivory Coast – Ghana 2-0 (1-0)/Yalcouye 44, Kessie 58 pen/Sierra Leone – Zimbabwe 2-3 (2-0)/Conteh 7, Tarawallie 27 – Munetsi 72,88, Chireva 76/Tunisia – Uganda 1-1 (1-0)/Arous 12 – Mato 68/FridayTanzania – Guinea-Bissau 0-2 (0-1)/Dju 33, Balde 58/Niger – Lesotho 2-1 (2-0)/Sosah 38, Sako 45 – Motebang 85 pen/Gambia – Somalia 2-1 (1-0)/Colley 18 pen, Badamosi 83 – Nije 72/Malawi – South Sudan 2-1 (1-0)/Adepoju 20, Njawila 64 – Dhata 48/Nigeria – Madagascar 2-1 (1-1)/Ilenikhena 45+1, Usor 65 – Kari 16/Rwanda – Liberia 3-1 (3-1)/Biramahire 2, L.J. Mickels 33, J.L. Mickels 44 pen – Nimely 38/Sudan – Ethiopia 1-0 (0-0)/Eisa 86/Togo – Burundi 1-0 (1-0)/Dermane 17/Algeria – Zambia 3-1 (1-0)/Hadjam 2, Maza 67, Moussa 74 – Sakala 57/Burkina Faso – Benin 1-1 (1-0)/Traore 20 pen – Tosin 68 pen/Egypt – Angola 0-0Mali – Cabo Verde 3-1 (2-1)/Tia 5, Nene 39, 51 – Lopes Cabral 10/Morocco – Gabon 2-0 (1-0)/Mazraoui 36, Rahimi 84/Mozambique – Senegal 1-1 (1-1)/Catamo 45+2 – Jackson 32/Saturday16.00: (1.40) Kenya (4.20) Eritrea (7.75)19.00: (1.85) S.Africa (3.30) Guinea (4.20)***odds are subject to change***