Six nations have secured spots in the AFCON 2027 group stage qualifiers following Tuesday’s second-leg preliminary round matches.
Burundi delivered a commanding performance, defeating Chad 4-0 to complete an 8-0 aggregate triumph. Ethiopia edged past São Tomé and Príncipe 1-0 in the return leg, advancing with a 4-0 aggregate score.
Somalia clinched qualification through a tense penalty shootout, winning 4-2 against Mauritius after a goalless second leg. Eritrea also progressed, recording a 2-1 victory over Eswatini in the return fixture to finish 4-1 on aggregate.
“These results mean Eritrea, Somalia, Burundi, and Ethiopia will join Lesotho and South Sudan in the group stage qualifying phase,” Daily Post reports. Lesotho had previously advanced past Seychelles with a 2-1 aggregate win, while South Sudan defeated Djibouti 4-1 on aggregate.
The six successful teams will now face Africa’s higher-ranked teams in the AFCON 2027 group stage qualifiers. The tournament will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, who have automatically qualified as host nations.
