**DR Congo and Ivory Coast Secure Victories in Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers**
The opening day of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers saw notable performances from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) and Ivory Coast, both of whom secured victories in their respective matches on September 24, 2026.
In Kinshasa, DR Congo faced Equatorial Guinea and emerged with a 2-0 win. The match began on a high note for the Congolese team, with captain Chancel Mbemba scoring the first goal just four minutes into the game. Yoane Wissa added a second goal in the 72nd minute, solidifying the team's lead. Despite the scoreline, DR Congo could have increased their tally, having struck the woodwork twice and having two additional goals ruled offside.
This match marked the first competitive outing for DR Congo since their commendable performance in the World Cup, where they advanced through the initial phase and gave a strong fight against England in the round of 32. However, the atmosphere at the Stade des Martyrs was subdued, as attendance was limited to 20,000 due to sanctions imposed following fan violence during the previous year's World Cup qualification campaign.
In another match, Mauritania triumphed over the Central African Republic with a score of 3-1 in Casablanca, Morocco. Dawda Camara's impressive chipped goal over the goalkeeper highlighted the match, contributing to Mauritania's successful start in the qualifiers.
Namibia also celebrated a victory, narrowly defeating Congo with a single goal from Bethuel Muzeu. Meanwhile, Libya managed to secure a last-minute equalizer against Botswana, ending the match in a 2-2 draw. Botswana's Tumisang Orebonye had initially put his team ahead with two first-half goals, but late efforts from Maruwan Alhibeeshi and Ezoo El Mariamy salvaged a point for Libya.
In a significant derby match, Ivory Coast faced Ghana in Bouake and won 2-0. Malick Yalcouye opened the scoring with a remarkable strike from outside the box in the first half. The Ghanaian goalkeeper, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, faced criticism for allowing the goal at his near post. Franck Kessie secured the victory for Ivory Coast with a penalty in the second half, sending Ati-Zigi the wrong way. Ghana struggled throughout the match, failing to register a shot on target until the 75th minute and conceding 61% of possession to their opponents. The defeat leaves Ghana reflecting on their performance, especially after missing out on qualification for the upcoming AFCON in 2025.
In other matches, Cameroon defeated Comoros 3-1, while Tunisia and Uganda played to a 1-1 draw in a closely contested encounter.
The opening round of the AFCON qualifiers showcased the competitive spirit of African football, with teams eager to secure their places in the prestigious tournament. As the qualifiers continue, fans and teams alike will be looking forward to more exciting matches in the coming weeks.