Salah scores twice as Egypt and Nigeria win Afcon 2027 qualifiers

In the bustling stadium of Uyo, the Super Eagles reclaimed a measure of hope for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations after a hard‑won 3‑1 victory over co‑hosts Tanzania. The win, sparked by a second‑minute strike from Alhassan Yusuf and sealed by the fresh‑footed Tolu Arokodare, keeps Nigeria alive in the single‑spot Group L race. Across the continent, Mohamed Salah’s two‑goal performance against Malawi reminded fans that Egypt’s new captain still carries the weight of a nation hungry for continental glory.

Nigeria’s fight for a lone qualification place

Group L offers only one ticket to the finals, and Nigeria entered the match against Tanzania with a narrow margin for error after a 3‑0 defeat in Guinea‑Bissau earlier in September. The early lead came when Yusuf, calm under pressure, slotted home from an Ademola Lookman pass, giving the hosts a fleeting advantage. Tanzania answered with an Alphonce Msanga equaliser just after the half‑hour mark, restoring balance and intensifying the stakes.

Coach Eric Chelle’s tactical adjustment at the break proved decisive. Arokodare, introduced from the bench, flicked a low ball from Wilfred Ndidi into the net, restoring Nigeria’s lead in the 52nd minute. Eight minutes later, the Ajax striker on loan from Wolves, Tolu Arokodare, finished a cross from Moses Usor, extending the margin to two goals. The result leaves Nigeria a point behind leaders Guinea‑Bissau, who recently drew 1‑1 with Madagascar, and the Super Eagles must now turn to their remaining fixtures with renewed belief.

Egypt’s smooth sailing under new leadership

Mohamed Salah’s double against Malawi was more than a personal triumph; it signalled the start of a new era under manager Ali Maher. The Pharaohs, who had reached the semi‑finals of Afcon 2025 and the last‑16 of this year’s World Cup, welcomed Maher with a dominant 5‑0 display. Early goals from Nasser Maher, Omar Marmoush and Mohamed Hany gave Egypt a comfortable 3‑0 lead at halftime.

Salah, reinstated as captain after a brief substitution in the earlier 0‑0 draw with Angola, headed in a left‑wing cross before calmly converting a penalty after Hamza Abdelkarim was brought down. The win puts Egypt three points clear of Angola, who face South Sudan next, and reinforces their position at the top of Group B as they look to maintain momentum toward the finals.

Morocco’s unbeaten run continues

In Casablanca, Achraf Hakimi’s two spectacular strikes helped Morocco maintain an unbeaten start, culminating in a 5‑1 victory over Niger. Early pressure from Yassir Zabiri and a long‑range effort from Hakimi gave the Atlas Lions a 2‑0 advantage within the first half‑hour. Niger’s Mohamed Abdourahmane reduced the deficit before half‑time, but a penalty save by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and Hakimi’s late free‑kick restored a three‑goal cushion.

Youssef En‑Nesyri added a fourth goal from a Hakimi pass, and Ayoub Oufkir sealed the win with a close‑range finish. Morocco’s performance, marked by defensive solidity and attacking flair, keeps them firmly on course in Group A, where they sit atop the table after a series of convincing displays.

Tunisia’s unexpected struggle

Historically a powerhouse, Tunisia faces a precarious situation after a 2‑0 home defeat to Libya. The Carthage Eagles, who have appeared at a record 17 consecutive Afcons, find themselves bottom of Group H—a section offering only a single qualification slot. The loss was compounded by contentious refereeing, including a penalty awarded to Libya after Ali Maaloul’s shirt pull on Muad Eisay.

Despite a goal ruled out for a marginal offside call, Tunisia could not recover, and Libya’s victory moves the North African side to second place, level on points with Uganda. The setback raises questions about Tunisia’s prospects, as they risk missing the finals for the first time since 1992 if they cannot reverse their fortunes in the remaining fixtures.

South Africa and Kenya’s tightly contested battle

In Johannesburg, South Africa’s unbeaten run was halted by a 2‑2 draw with Kenya. An early own goal by Amos Wanjala gave the hosts a lead, but Michael Olunga equalised from the penalty spot before half‑time. Relebohile Mofokeng restored South Africa’s advantage late in the game, only for Kenya’s Ryan Ogam to snatch a point with a last‑minute strike that brushed the left‑hand upright.

The result leaves South Africa a point clear of Guinea at the top of Group D, while Kenya’s resilience adds intrigue to the group’s final round. Both teams will need to secure points in their upcoming matches to keep their qualification hopes alive.

Emerging narratives from the lower groups

Across the continent, several under‑the‑radar stories unfolded. In Group F, Burkina Faso and Benin share the lead with seven points each, thanks to Elohim Kabore’s 94th‑minute winner against Mauritania. Mali’s impressive start placed them atop Group K after a dramatic 3‑2 comeback over Rwanda, highlighting the competitive balance in the middle tiers.

Meanwhile, Ethiopia celebrated a rare victory, upsetting Mozambique in Maputo with Kenean Markneh’s decisive goal. In Group J, the East African side, despite moving to three points, remains at the bottom, while Mozambique sits on four points, three behind leaders Senegal. These dynamics illustrate the depth of competition as nations across Africa vie for the coveted Afcon tickets.

Looking ahead: the final qualifying round

The third round of qualifying will conclude with three matches on Saturday, followed by the fourth round split across Monday and Tuesday. Nigeria must capitalize on their recent win to close the gap on Guinea‑Bissau, while Egypt aims to extend their three‑point cushion over Angola. Morocco, Tunisia, and South Africa each face crucial fixtures that could define their paths to the 2027 tournament.

As the continent’s footballing calendar tightens, the stakes grow higher for every nation. The passion on the pitch reflects a broader narrative of ambition, resilience, and the unifying power of the beautiful game across Africa. Fans will be watching closely, hopeful that their teams can translate the moments of brilliance witnessed this week into lasting success at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.

This article was produced with AI-assisted research and editorial support. Reporting is based on the source material cited below. Sources: BBC News Africa; bbc.co.uk; Global1.News (14 November 2026).

By Amara Diop, Staff Writer