DR Congo and Ivory Coast win as AFCON qualifiers begin

The Democratic Republic of the Congo followed up their World Cup exploits with a 2-0 home win over Equatorial Guinea on the opening day of the group qualifiers for next year's Africa Cup of Nations.

Captain Chancel Mbemba headed home the opening goal in the fourth minute, and Yoane Wissa added a second 18 minutes from time in Kinshasa, although the scoreline might have been more emphatic after they twice struck the woodwork and also had two efforts ruled offside.

DR Congo play on after historic World Cup run

It was the first game for the Congolese after advancing through the first phase of the World Cup for the first time and running England close in their last-32 tie in Atlanta in July.

There was no opportunity for home supporters to celebrate that achievement, however, as the size of the crowd at the Stade des Martyrs was restricted to 20,000 after sanctions for fan violence that followed defeat by Senegal in World Cup qualification one year ago.

Libya salvage a late draw against Botswana

Mauritania and Namibia were also winners in Thursday's early games, while Libya netted a last-gasp penalty to salvage a 2-2 draw at home to Botswana behind closed doors in Tripoli, where the stadium was also banned because of previous supporter violence.

Botswana striker Tumisang Orebonye scored a double in the first half to put his side on course for a rare away win before Maruwan Alhibeeshi thrashed home from the edge of the area to pull one back in the 87th minute.

Botswana substitute Mothusi Cooper then gave away a stoppage-time penalty with a clumsy challenge, allowing Ezoo El Mariamy to rescue a draw.

Mauritania and Namibia claim victories

Mauritania won 3-1 over the Central African Republic in Casablanca, Morocco, which included a superb chipped effort over the goalkeeper from Dawda Camara.

Bethuel Muzeu scored the only goal as Namibia edged Congo.

Ivory Coast cruise past Ghana in Bouake

Ivory Coast beat Ghana 2-0 in a derby in Bouake in a Group C encounter.

A stunning strike from Malick Yalcouye opened the scoring from outside the box in the first half, although the Ghana keeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi will feel he should have done better at his near post.

Franck Kessie gave the Black Stars stopper no chance as he sent his opponent the wrong way with a side-footed second-half penalty.

Ghana, who failed to qualify for the 2025 edition of AFCON, are left to reflect on a match where they failed to register a shot on target until the 75th minute. They also conceded 61 percent of possession to their hosts.

Cameroon and Tunisia round out the opening day

Cameroon beat Comoros 3-1, while Tunisia were held to a 1-1 draw by Uganda in the pick of the other ties.

SportsLigue