Mali have opened their Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying campaign with a 3-1 victory over Cape Verde in Bamako, joining Rwanda at the top of Group K after the opening round of matches. Playing at Stade du 26 Mars, Mali took the lead in the fifth minute through A. M. Tia, but Cape Verde responded five minutes later when S. L. Cabral levelled the score. The hosts regained the advantage in the 39th minute as N. Dorgeles found the net to send Mali into half-time leading 2-1. Mali continued to control the match after the break, with Dorgeles completing his brace in the 51st minute to put the

Mali have opened their Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying campaign with a 3-1 victory over Cape Verde in Bamako, joining Rwanda at the top of Group K after the opening round of matches. Playing at Stade du 26 Mars, Mali took the lead in the fifth minute through A. M. Tia, but Cape Verde responded five minutes later when S. L. Cabral levelled the score. The hosts regained the advantage in the 39th minute as N. Dorgeles found the net to send Mali into half-time leading 2-1. Mali continued to control the match after the break, with Dorgeles completing his brace in the 51st minute to put the hosts 3-1 ahead. Cape Verde were unable to find a response as Mali held on to claim all three points. The result leaves Mali and Rwanda level on three points after both teams recorded 3-1 victories in their opening matches. Cape Verde and Liberia are yet to pick up a point. Rwanda had earlier defeated Liberia 3-1 at Amahoro Stadium, with Abeddy Biramahire and Joy-Lance Mickels providing the goals for Amavubi. The result in Bamako is particularly significant for Rwanda, as Cape Verde are their next opponents in the qualifying campaign. Amavubi are scheduled to travel to face Cape Verde on 29 September, while Liberia will host Mali on the same day. With both Rwanda and Mali starting with victories, the second round of fixtures will provide another important test for the four teams as the race for the two qualification places in Group K begins to take shape. For Rwanda, attention now shifts to Cape Verde, where Amavubi will look to build on their winning start and maintain their position at the top end of the group.

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