2027 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers: Surprising Losses for Ghana, Nigeria, Libya, and Cape Verde
Agencies3 min read
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The Libyan national team's mission in the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations football tournament has become complicated after their loss to the Ugandan host with a goal without a response, on Tuesday, in the second round, which also witnessed a surprising fall for the Ghanaian and Nigerian teams, and the stumbling of the Cape Verde team.
In Group H, the Libyan national team continued its failure to achieve victory for the second consecutive match, after losing to the Ugandan host with a goal without a response, at the 'Hoima City' stadium.
Arnold Fola scored the only goal of the match in the 45+2 minute, with a header taking advantage of a model cross from a direct free kick.
The 'Knights of the Mediterranean' were unable to achieve a draw, leaving their score at one point, which they collected from their draw on their home ground against Botswana in the first round, and they fell to the fourth and last place, while the Ugandan national team raised its score to 4 points, leading the group.
In Group C, the Ghanaian national team continued its disappointing results, and suffered a severe loss on its home ground against the Gambian guest with a score of 2-4, at the 'Accra Sports' stadium.
This is the second consecutive defeat for the 'Black Stars', under the leadership of their Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz, after their loss in the first round against Ivory Coast with two goals without a response, leaving them without points at the bottom of the standings, and putting themselves in an early difficult position in the qualifiers.
Ghana's goals were scored by Ernest Noah from a penalty kick and Felix Afena-Gyan in the 27th and 33rd minutes, while Gambia's goals were scored by Mohamed Badamosi from a penalty kick, Omar Colley, and Eriyama Kuli 'two goals' in the 37th, 42nd, 68th, and 90+1 minutes.
In Group L, the Nigerian national team suffered a heavy and surprising loss away from home against the host Guinea-Bissau national team with a hat-trick without a response, at the '24 September' stadium in the capital Bissau.
Francolino Djo opened the scoring for the hosts in the 15th minute, before Mama Balde and Alvaro Djaló enhanced the result with two goals in the 66th and 90+5 minutes.
With this victory, the Guinea-Bissau national team raised its score to 6 points, leading the group, after starting its journey with a victory over Tanzania with two goals without a response, while Nigeria's score remained at 3 points.
In Group K, the Cape Verde national team fell on their home ground against the Rwandan guest with a score of 1-2, despite leading in the score.
The hosts advanced with a goal by Gelson Tavares in the 40th minute, before Claude Nimugabe equalized for Rwanda in the 45+2 minute, then Eli Iradukunda snatched the winning goal for the guests in the 52nd minute.
With this result, the Cape Verde national team suffered its second consecutive defeat, leaving them at the bottom of the group standings without points, after losing in the first round against Mali with a score of 1-3, while the Rwandan national team raised its score to 6 points, leading the group.
