Ghana and Nigeria suffered major setbacks in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 qualifiers on Tuesday, while Rwanda secured an impressive away victory over Cape Verde in a dramatic night of African football. Ghana suffered one of the biggest shocks of the round after surrendering a two-goal lead to lose 4–2 at home to The Gambia in Accra. Ernest Nuamah and Felix Afena-Gyan put the Black Stars 2–0 ahead after 33 minutes, but The Gambia produced a stunning comeback. Muhammed Badamosi reduced the deficit from the penalty spot before Omar Colley and substitute Ebrima Colley turned the match

Ghana and Nigeria suffered major setbacks in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 qualifiers on Tuesday, while Rwanda secured an impressive away victory over Cape Verde in a dramatic night of African football. Ghana suffered one of the biggest shocks of the round after surrendering a two-goal lead to lose 4–2 at home to The Gambia in Accra. Ernest Nuamah and Felix Afena-Gyan put the Black Stars 2–0 ahead after 33 minutes, but The Gambia produced a stunning comeback. Muhammed Badamosi reduced the deficit from the penalty spot before Omar Colley and substitute Ebrima Colley turned the match around. Ebrima Colley later scored again to complete the comeback. The defeat increases pressure on Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz after the Black Stars also lost their opening Group C match against Ivory Coast. Nigeria endured an equally difficult evening, suffering a 3–0 defeat away to Guinea-Bissau despite starting with seven Premier League players. Franculino Dju opened the scoring before captain Mama Baldé doubled Guinea-Bissau’s advantage. Álvaro Djaló added a third in stoppage time. In Group K, Rwanda came from behind to defeat Cape Verde 2–1 in Praia, maintaining their perfect start to the qualifying campaign. Elie Iradukunda Tatou and Niyomugabo Claude scored for Rwanda after Cape Verde had taken the lead. The result leaves Cape Verde with two defeats from two matches, while Rwanda have made a strong statement in a group that also includes Mali and Liberia. Mali also strengthened their position with a 1–0 away victory over Liberia. Elsewhere, Egypt thrashed South Sudan 5–0, Morocco defeated Lesotho 2–0, while Senegal secured a narrow 1–0 victory over Ethiopia. The qualifying campaign, with the 2027 AFCON finals to be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, is already delivering major surprises and putting several established African football powers under pressure.

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