DR Congo, Ivory Coast Begin AFCON Qualifying With Wins

DR Congo and Ivory Coast made winning starts to the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying group stage on Thursday, while Cameroon and Mauritania also collected victories.

DR Congo defeated Equatorial Guinea 2-0 in Kinshasa, with Chancel Mbemba opening the scoring in the fourth minute. Yoane Wissa added the second goal 18 minutes from time.

The home side also struck the woodwork twice and had two efforts ruled out for offside. The match was played before a restricted crowd of 20,000 at the Stade des Martyrs, following sanctions linked to fan violence after DR Congo’s defeat by Senegal in World Cup qualification.

The result was DR Congo’s first match since its World Cup campaign, in which the team advanced through the first phase for the first time and later faced England in a last-32 tie in Atlanta in July.

Ivory Coast control Group C contest

Ivory Coast defeated Ghana 2-0 in Bouake in a Group C encounter. Malick Yalcouye scored from outside the box in the first half before Franck Kessie converted a second-half penalty.

Ghana did not record a shot on target until the 75th minute, while Ivory Coast had 61 percent possession. Ghana missed the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Cameroon also opened its campaign with a 3-1 victory over Comoros. Mauritania recorded the same scoreline against the Central African Republic in Casablanca, Morocco.

Namibia edged Congo after Bethuel Muzeu scored the match’s only goal.

Late penalty rescues Libya

Libya and Botswana played out a 2-2 draw in Tripoli in a match held behind closed doors. Botswana’s Tumisang Orebonye scored twice in the first half.

Libya responded through Maruwan Alhibeeshi, who scored in the 87th minute, before Ezoo El Mariamy equalised with a stoppage-time penalty. The spot kick was awarded after Botswana substitute Mothusi Cooper conceded a late penalty.

Libya’s stadium in Tripoli had also been banned because of previous supporter violence.

Tunisia were held to a 1-1 draw by Uganda as the opening round of qualifying produced victories for several of the continent’s established sides alongside a number of closely contested results.