The qualifying campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations got underway on Thursday, with several heavyweight nations beginning their quest for a place at the continental showpiece.
Defending African champions Ivory Coast made a winning start with a 2-0 victory over Ghana in one of the standout fixtures of Matchday One.
Brighton midfielder Malick Yalcouyé opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time before Franck Kessié converted a penalty to seal all three points for the Elephants.
Cameroon also kicked off their campaign on a positive note, recording a 3-1 win over Comoros.
David Roy Nyengue gave the Indomitable Lions the lead in the 39th minute, while Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo doubled the advantage shortly after the restart.
Comoros reduced the deficit through a well-taken free-kick in the 51st minute, but Cameroon restored their two-goal cushion when Namaso found the net in the closing stages of the encounter.
Elsewhere, Tunisia were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Uganda in a closely contested fixture.
The Carthage Eagles failed to make home advantage count as Uganda earned a valuable point to begin their qualifying campaign.
In another Matchday One fixture, DR Congo secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea to boost their hopes of qualification.
The opening round of matches continues across the continent as teams battle for places at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
