AFCON 2027: Lesotho, South Sudan qualify as qualifiers continue
Lesotho and South Sudan have advanced to the AFCON 2027 group stage qualifiers after their preliminary round victories. Lesotho defeated Seychelles 2-1 on Sunday, with Lebohang Lesako and Motebang Sera scoring after Seychelles took an early lead through Brandon Labrosse. The result followed a 0-0 first leg draw. South Sudan also progressed despite a shock 1-0 home loss to Djibouti in an empty Juba stadium, winning 4-1 on aggregate after their 4-0 first leg victory.
Four remaining second-leg fixtures take place on Tuesday. Eritrea defends a 2-0 lead against Eswatini, while Mauritius and Somalia are deadlocked after a goalless first tie. Burundi holds a 4-0 advantage over Chad, and Ethiopia leads Sao Tome and Principe 3-0 after the first leg played in Morocco.
Winners will join the continent's highest-ranked teams in the next qualifying stage. Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda automatically qualify as co-hosts of the 2027 AFCON.
For Nigerian football fans, this matters because Nigeria's bid to host failed, meaning the Super Eagles must qualify the hard way without home advantage. The emerging nations in these qualifiers could shape Nigeria's potential opponents in the group stage draw. With Nigeria out of the hosting race, how should the Super Eagles adapt their strategy for a tournament they must travel to, and would you make the trip to East Africa to support them?