BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI – The Warriors of Zimbabwe staged a breathtaking second-half comeback to deliver the most dramatic result of Thursday’s TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers, fighting back from two goals down to stun Sierra Leone 3-2.
The Zimbabweans’ thrilling victory capped off an action-packed evening of continental football that saw heavyweights of African football stake their claims early in the tournament’s qualification rounds.
In Bouaké, reigning AFCON champions Cote d’Ivoire lived up to their powerhouse billing by sweeping aside a depleted Ghana side 2-0, while Cameroon ignited their campaign with a commanding 3-1 home triumph over Comoros. This is as the Ugandan Cranes displayed immense resilience in Radès, battling to a hard-fought 1-1 draw away against a formidable Tunisian side to close out a dramatic four-match slate.
The opening round of fixtures immediately shapes the standings, putting Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, and Zimbabwe at the top of their respective groups with maximum points. While the three victors celebrated perfect starts, Uganda’s gritty performance on North African soil signals they will be a tough contender to watch as the qualifiers unfold.
By the scheduling, the qualifiers, involving 48 teams across 12 groups, will determine the sides joining co-hosts Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda at the 2027 finals.
Interestingly, Thursday’s games also marked the start of new cycles for several teams, including Cote d’Ivoire under returning coach Hervé Renard and Tunisia under Mouine Chaâbani.
Cote d’Ivoire 2-0 Ghana
Defending champions Cote d’Ivoire began their qualifying campaign with a deserved 2-0 victory over Ghana at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké and it was Malick Yalcouyé, one of eight newcomers named by returning coach Hervé Renard, who opened the scoring in the 44th minute after being supplied by Franck Kessié, before Kessié doubled the advantage from the penalty spot in the 58th minute.
The result was not entirely unexpected given the Black Stars arrived without several of their most influential players. Mohammed Kudus, Thomas Partey, Antoine Semenyo and Jordan Ayew were all unavailable, leaving coach Carlos Queiroz with a significantly weakened side for one of the most demanding away fixtures in African football.
Ghana’s starting attack featured Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Ernest Nuamah and Brandon Thomas-Asante, while Alexander Djiku captained the side. On their part, the Ivorians fielded an experienced spine including Kessié, Ibrahim Sangaré, Ousmane Diomandé, Evan Ndicka and Nicolas Pépé.
The triumphant victory secured a flawless launch for Hervé Renard’s second chapter at the helm of the Ivorian national team, instantly validating his high-stakes return to the Elephants’ dugout.
Sierra Leone 2-3 Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe produced the comeback of the night by overturning a 2-0 half-time deficit to beat Sierra Leone 3-2. Sierra Leone appeared in complete control after Alie Conteh put them ahead after seven minutes before Sallieu Tarawallie doubled the advantage in the 27th minute.
Zimbabwe’s response after the interval was emphatic as Marshall Munetsi pulled one back in the 72nd minute before Tawanda Chirewa levelled four minutes later, transforming a match that had looked beyond the Warriors at half-time.
Munetsi then completed an extraordinary turnaround with his second goal two minutes from the end of normal time to give Zimbabwe all three points. It was a remarkable demonstration of resilience from the Warriors, who refused to collapse after Sierra Leone’s dominant opening half.
For Sierra Leone, the defeat will be particularly painful after surrendering both a two-goal advantage and what appeared to be a strong position in their opening qualifier. Zimbabwe’s late surge gives them an immediate boost as the qualification race gathers pace.
Cameroon 3-1 Comoros
The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon made a strong start to their campaign with a convincing 3-1 victory over Comoros in Garoua. It was David Ningo who gave Cameroon the lead 39 minutes into the match before Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo doubled the advantage shortly after the restart.
Though Comoros responded almost immediately through Warmed Omari in the 51st minute to briefly threaten a comeback, Cameroon remained in control and Danny Namaso restored their two-goal cushion in the 81st minute to secure the points.
The result represented an encouraging opening for a Cameroon side seeking to reassert itself among Africa’s leading national teams after reaching the quarter-finals of the most recent AFCON. Mbeumo again underlined his importance to the Indomitable Lions, adding another international goal after establishing himself as one of their main attacking threats.
Cameroon entered the match as favourites and delivered the type of composed home performance required at the start of a demanding qualifying campaign.
Tunisia 1-1 Uganda
Uganda produced one of the evening’s notable results by holding Tunisia to a 1-1 draw in Radès. Tunisia appeared set for a winning start when Adem Arous put the hosts ahead in the 12th minute, giving new coach Mouine Chaâbani an early advantage in his first competitive match in charge.
But Uganda stayed in the contest and were rewarded in the 68th minute when Rogers Mato scored the equaliser. The result will provide encouragement for Paul Put’s side as they continue preparations for an AFCON tournament they will co-host next year alongside Kenya and Tanzania.
Uganda had already secured their place at the 2027 finals as co-hosts, but the qualifiers provide competitive matches to test and develop the squad ahead of the tournament.
Following the FIFA World Cup 2026, Tunisia had reshaped their squad, retaining only 14 members of that group for the opening qualifiers. For Uganda, leaving Tunis with a draw against the Eagles of Carthage represents a valuable measure of their progress. – With cafonline reports
