Kenya pulled off one of the standout results of the TotalEnergies CAF U-23 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2027 Qualifiers on Wednesday, defeating Côte d'Ivoire 2-1 in Nairobi. Cameroon and Mali also delivered dominant away performances, while Ghana and Algeria endured shock defeats.

Kenya's emerging stars down Côte d'Ivoire

At Nyayo National Stadium, Kenya's Emerging Stars edged past Côte d'Ivoire in a tightly contested second-round first-leg tie. Henry Omollo broke the deadlock in the 65th minute, only for Oumar Konaté to level for the visitors nine minutes later.

Andreas Odhiambo proved the decisive figure, restoring Kenya's lead in the 84th minute to seal a 2-1 victory for Anthony Kimani's side. Having eliminated Tanzania 5-4 on aggregate in the previous round, Kenya now need just one more positive result to advance again — with the return fixture set for Abidjan on Tuesday.

Cameroon and Mali in commanding positions

Cameroon were the night's most impressive performers, dismantling Rwanda 3-0 in Kigali. Captain Patrick Edzimbii opened the scoring in the 64th minute, Rattensi Nko doubled the advantage in the 87th, and Edzimbii completed his brace deep into stoppage time. The Indomitable Lions head back to Yaoundé with the tie all but settled.

Mali were equally ruthless away at Zimbabwe. Aboubacar Sidibé struck early in the eighth minute, Pape Sissoko converted a penalty to make it two, and Seydou Dembélé added a third in the 55th minute. The Young Warriors leave Harare with a 3-0 lead and Zimbabwe facing a near-impossible task in Bamako.

Ghana and Algeria suffer surprise losses

Ghana's Black Meteors were beaten 1-0 by Libya in Benghazi in a painful evening for coach Desmond Ofei's squad. Defender Dacosta Antwi was sent off in the second half, and Libya capitalised with a late winner — a result that leaves Ghana needing to overturn the deficit at home in Accra on 17 November. Daniel Adu-Adjei had earlier squandered a chance to open the scoring.

Algeria's night was no less difficult. Despite taking the lead through Gaëtan Bakhouche in the first half, they surrendered two goals in the 60th and 63rd minutes to lose 2-1 to Eswatini — a stunning comeback for the hosts.

Senegal frustrated, others make gains

Senegal were held to a goalless draw by South Sudan in Juba, unable to find a breakthrough despite dominating stretches of the match. Aliou Diémé wasted a clear first-half opening, and the tie remains level heading into the return leg in Dakar.

Elsewhere, Burkina Faso defeated Zambia 1-0 and Guinea claimed a 1-0 away win against Botswana. Niger have already secured their place in the third qualifying round after Equatorial Guinea withdrew. The remaining first-leg fixtures continue on Thursday and Friday, with return legs scheduled between 15 and 17 November.