Cup of Nations qualifiers kick off

South Sudan put together a convincing 4-0 win over Djibouti on Thursday as the opening qualifiers for the next Africa Cup of Nations finals continued, but Lesotho and Seychelles drew 0-0 in Bloemfontein.

Both legs of the preliminary round ties are being played at a single venue, with Djibouti ceding home advantage to South Sudan, while Lesotho and the Pirates from Seychelles are playing both legs of their tie at the Free State Stadium.

Djibouti were the nominal home side for the tie against South Sudan, but it was played behind closed doors in Juba to ensure some fairness to the contest.

But South Sudan emerged easy winners with goals from Teng Kuol in the 31st minute and then three more after the break from Bangasi Bakasoro (48th minute), Peter Manyang (66th minute), and nine minutes from time from Keer Mangar.

The second leg in Juba will also be behind closed doors on Sunday afternoon, but South Sudan look as good as through to the group stage of the qualifiers, which start in September and where the six winners of the preliminary round ties join Africa’s 42 top-ranked teams in 12 groups of four teams each.

Lesotho had a myriad of chances as they dominated play in Bloemfontein but could not break through the Seychelles defence.

The Basotho side had Orbit College goalkeeper Sekhoane Moerane and Siwelele defender Thabo Makhele in their starting line-up, while ex-Bloemfontein Celtic and Royal AM striker Motebang Sera, now playing for Venda in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, came on as a substitute.

They play again at the Free State Stadium on Sunday because both countries do not have a stadium that meets the requirements for hosting international matches set by the Confederation of African Football.

The second leg is Lesotho’s home game, so if it ends in a score draw, Seychelles will advance.

SHOCK WIN FOR ERITREA

The qualifiers for the 2027 Cup of Nations, to be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, began on Wednesday with Eswatini suffering a shock 2-0 loss away against Eritrea in the first leg of their preliminary round tie.

Eritrea marked its return to international football with a shock victory in Meknes, Morocco, having not participated in any internationals since a friendly loss to Sudan in January 2020.

Eritrea netted two late goals, the first scrambled in from a corner in the 83rd minute and the second scored on the stroke of full time by Egyptian-based striker Ali Sulieman.

They fielded a team with several players from clubs in Australia, Germany, Norway, and Sweden, and were coached by former Egyptian international Hesham Yakan, appointed only a fortnight ago.

The match was hosted in Morocco, with the second leg at the Somhlolo Stadium in Eswatini on Tuesday.

On Friday, the remaining first leg ties will be hosted, with Somalia hosting Mauritius on neutral territory in Mozambique, while Chad is home to Burundi in Ndjamena.

Sao Tome e Principe are up against Ethiopia in El Jadida, Morocco.