African football has taken centre stage during the 9–13 November news window as the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifying campaign moved into Matchday Three. Thursday, 12 November delivered an important set of results across several groups, while the next round of fixtures is scheduled between 13 and 17 November. The qualification race is still developing, but the latest results have already created clearer pressure points for several teams.
DR Congo keep their perfect record
DR Congo defeated Sierra Leone 3–1 to record a third consecutive win in Group E. Yoane Wissa opened the scoring early, and the Leopards continued to create opportunities before completing another important result. The win strengthens DR Congo’s position and gives the team a valuable advantage as the group moves through its next fixtures.
Senegal and Benin deliver four-goal performances
Senegal beat Sudan 4–1 in Group J after recovering from an equalising goal. The result moved Senegal to the top of its group and underlined the attacking depth available to the team. Benin also scored four, defeating the Central African Republic 4–1. The result puts Benin in a strong position in Group F, while the Central African Republic are under pressure after another defeat.
Côte d’Ivoire maintained its winning start with a 2–1 victory over The Gambia. Cameroon beat Namibia 2–0, Guinea defeated Eritrea 2–1, and Madagascar held Guinea-Bissau to a 1–1 draw. Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe shared a goalless draw.
Ghana recover against Somalia
Ghana’s 2–0 win over Somalia was especially important because the Black Stars had lost their first two qualifying matches. Jonas Adjetey scored in first-half stoppage time and Felix Afena-Gyan added a second after the break. Captain Jordan Ayew missed a penalty, but Ghana still secured the three points it needed to restart its campaign.
For Somalia, the result is a reminder of the gap that remains to be closed in a difficult qualifying group. The next matches will be important for building experience and improving consistency against established opposition.
Matchday Four fixtures keep the pressure high
The double-header continues through 17 November. Friday, 13 November includes Nigeria against Tanzania, South Africa against Kenya, Egypt against Malawi, Mali against Rwanda and Morocco against Niger, alongside several other group fixtures. Uganda are scheduled to meet Botswana on Saturday, 14 November, while Algeria face Togo and Angola play South Sudan.
These are upcoming fixtures as of publication. Supporters should check CAF’s official schedule for confirmed kick-off times and any changes.
Why this qualifying window matters
AFCON qualifying is not only about the teams expected to reach the tournament. It also tests squad depth, coaching decisions, travel resilience and the development of national football programmes. DR Congo, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire have strengthened their positions, while Ghana’s first win gives the group a new storyline. The next round will show which teams can turn a good result into sustained progress.
Sources:
- CAF — Matchday Three qualifying report: https://www.cafonline.com/afcon2025/news/totalenergies-caf-afcon-2027-qualifiers-dr-congo-extend-perfect-run-as-guinea-bissau-and-zimbabwe-held-to-draws/
- CAF — Qualifying window preview: https://www.cafonline.com/afcon2025/news/african-giants-face-crucial-tests-as-totalenergies-caf-afcon-pamoja-2027-qualifiers-resume-this-week/
- Reuters — Ghana beat Somalia: https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/ghana-earn-first-cup-nations-qualifying-points-2-0-win-over-somalia-2026-11-12/
- Ahram Online — Matchday Three results and fixtures: https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/6/54/582262/Sports/Africa/Africa-Cup-of-Nations-qualifiers-results-amp-fixt.aspx