AFCON 2027: Angola vs. Malawi in Luanda concludes a second matchday marked by Nigeria's heavy defeat

Angola hosts Malawi on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at the Estádio 11 de Novembro in Luanda, in the final match of the second matchday of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The match, which was rescheduled from the rest of the calendar, will determine the hierarchy of Group B behind Egypt.

The Palancas Negras are now coached by Senegalese manager Aliou Cissé, winner of the 2021 AFCON with the Lions of Teranga, according to Sports Mole. The English media outlet reports uncertainty surrounding the injured Zito Luvumbo, with Chico Banza expected to replace him. On the other side, Kalisto Pasuwa's Flames are relying on Babatunde Adepoju, who scored on his debut, while Francisco Madinga faces a potential suspension.

A Group B already controlled by Egypt

Before this match, the Group B standings show Egypt in the lead with four points, ahead of Malawi (three points and one game in hand), Angola (one point), and South Sudan, who have been beaten twice and remain at zero, according to Afrik-Foot. The Pharaohs were held to a 0-0 draw by Angola before crushing South Sudan 5-0; Malawi had previously won 2-1 against the South Sudanese.

An Angolan victory would therefore put Luanda level with Malawi and completely revive a group where two spots are up for grabs. A Malawian success, on the contrary, would place the Flames in the runner-up position, tied on points with Egypt.

Guinea-Bissau and Gambia pull off stunning upsets

This second matchday was primarily marked by two results that no one saw coming. Guinea-Bissau dominated Nigeria 3-0 and now sits at the top of Group L with six points, reports Le360 Afrique. Gambia, trailing 2-0 after thirty-three minutes, staged a comeback against Ghana to win 4-2 at home and now shares the top spot in Group C with Ivory Coast.

High-scoring matches were not in short supply elsewhere: South Africa beat Eritrea 5-0, and Mozambique won 4-1 against Sudan. Morocco, Ivory Coast, South Africa, DR Congo, Rwanda, Mali, Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau all have the maximum of six points after two matchdays.

See you in November

Forty-eight national teams are divided into twelve groups of four for this campaign, with the top two from each group qualifying in principle for the final tournament, scheduled from June 19 to July 17, 2027, in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda—an AFCON organized for the first time by three East African countries.

The third and fourth matchdays are scheduled for November 11 and 15, 2026. By then, Nigeria and Ghana, two regulars at the final tournaments, already know they have little room for error.