Côte d’Ivoire defeat Ghana 2-0, while Cameroon and DR Congo also secure opening-day wins as the race for places at the 2027 tournament gets underway.

The race for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) began on Thursday, with Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) among the teams recording victories on Matchday 1 of the qualifying campaign.

The opening round features 24 teams competing across 12 groups, with the 2027 AFCON finals scheduled to be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

Côte d’Ivoire claimed bragging rights in the West African derby, defeating Ghana 2-0 in Bouaké.

Malick Yalcouyé opened the scoring shortly before half-time before Franck Kessié converted a second-half penalty to secure all three points for the Elephants.

Cameroon also made a winning start, defeating Comoros 3-1.

David Roy Nyengue put the Indomitable Lions ahead in the 39th minute before Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo doubled their advantage three minutes after the restart.

Comoros responded with a free-kick to reduce the deficit, but Cameroon restored their two-goal advantage when David Namaso found the net in the 81st minute to seal the victory.

In Group E, DR Congo defeated Equatorial Guinea 2-0, with captain Chancel Mbemba heading home just four minutes into the match.

Yoane Wissa added DR Congo's second goal in the 72nd minute to complete a comfortable victory.

Meanwhile, Tunisia were held to a 1-1 draw by co-hosts Uganda in another opening-day encounter.

The result brought an eventful first round of matches to a close as teams began their six-match qualifying campaigns in pursuit of places at the 2027 AFCON finals.

The qualifiers will continue across the groups as teams battle for qualification to the continental showpiece in East Africa.