The Ocean Stars of Somalia have qualified for the group stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 qualifiers.

After a goalless draw over two legs against Mauritius, the Ocean Stars qualified for the first time after edging the hosts 4-2 in penalty shootouts in a match played on Tuesday.

The Somalia team has now joined other teams from the CECAFA Zone South Sudan, Eritrea, Burundi and Ethiopia.

In Eswatini, Ibrahim Sulieman Ibrahim netted a brace for Eritrea to win 2-1. The Red Sea Camels who had most players on the squad plying outside the African continent qualified on a 4-1 goal aggregate.

“Scoring four goals and conceding one means that the team played well and we are happy to qualify for the next stage,” said Eritrea’s coach Hasham Yakan.

Ethiopia also scored a lone goal through Ghernet Gugsa to beat Sao Tome & Principe 1-0 in the return leg played at the Dire Dawa Stadium. The Ethiopians qualified on a 4-0 goal aggregate.

Burundi thrashed Chad 4-0 in Bujumbura to record a huge 8-0 goal aggregate. The five teams from the CECAFA Zone that qualified from the preliminary stage of the qualifiers include; South Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia, Burundi and Ethiopia.

The AFCON 2027 will be hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

South Sudan have qualified for the next stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 qualifiers.

Djibouti defeated South Sudan 1-0 in the return leg of the preliminary round on Sunday, but the Bright Star qualified on a 4-1 goal aggregate.

After several misses by both teams, Sameul Temidayo netted Djibouti’s lone goal after 77 minutes. The South Sudan team tried to push forward to find goals, but failed to convert.

It was Djibouti’s first win away from home in so many years.

Action continues on Tuesday with more teams from the CECAFA Zone taking to the field in the second legs. Somalia who settled for a goalless draw against Mauritius in the first leg will hope to get on their scoring boots.

Burundi with a 4-0 advantage will host Chad, while Eritrea and Ethiopia will also be in action against Eswatini and Sao Tome & Principe respectively.

The best teams after two legs of the preliminary round will be drawn with the other better ranked teams to battle in the group stage of the qualifiers.

Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will host the AFCON 2027.

Forward Abel Yalew netted a brace to help Ethiopia defeat Sao Tome & Principe 3-0 in a TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier tie played on Friday.

Kenean Markneh gave the visiting Ethiopia team the lead after 22 minutes at the El Abdi Stadium, El Jadida in Morocco.

The hosts tried to reorganize themselves, but Yalew made it 2-0 after 31 minutes. Yalew was on target against in the second half after 78 minutes to give Ethiopia the advantage ahead of their home return leg to be played on March 31^st.

In the other matches played Burundi humbled hosts Chad 4-0 in the first leg played at the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno in N’Djamena.

Jordi Liongola, Bienvenue Kanakimana, Abdoul Karim and Mossi Nduwumwe were all on target.

Elsewhere, Somalia and Mauritius played out a goalless draw in their first-leg clash, leaving their tie finely balanced heading into the return fixture.

Teams that qualify from the preliminary stage will join the better ranked team to be drawn for the group stage of the qualifiers.

Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will host AFCON 2027.

The Bright Star of South Sudan have defeated Djibouti 4-0 in the first leg preliminary round of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027.

Teng Mawiern Kuol gave South Sudan the lead after 31 minutes at the Juba National Stadium.

The Djibouti team tried to fight back strongly, but failed to break through the South Sudan defending line.

After recess Justin Bangasi made it 2-0 for the Bright Star four minutes into the second half. Peter Manyanga and Keer Manger added two more goals to ensure South Sudan picked a comfortable win ahead of the return leg to be played on March 29^th at the same Stadium.

Action continues on Friday with Somalia hosting Mauritius in Mozambique, while Burundi and Ethiopia play away to Chad and Sao Tome & Principe respectively.

Teams that qualify from the preliminary round will join others to be drawn for the group stage of the qualifiers.

Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will host the AFCON 2027.