AFCON 2027 qualifiers: Dorgeles, Mbeumo, Mazraoui, Rahimi and Jackson, the stars who delivered

The opening day of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers has already given several established internationals the chance to make their mark. Nene Dorgeles, Bryan Mbeumo, Noussair Mazraoui, Soufiane Rahimi and Nicolas Jackson all scored for their national teams.

Nene Dorgeles was one of the key figures in Mali's 3-1 victory over Cape Verde on Friday in Bamako. The Malian striker scored twice. Dorgeles first opened the scoring in the 39th minute before striking again in the 51st. These two goals allowed the Eagles to pull clear after Ange Martial Tia had put them ahead.

The Malian player has therefore made a perfect start to his campaign with two goals in his first appearance.

Mbeumo scores for Cameroon

Cameroon also began the qualifiers with a victory. The Indomitable Lions defeated Comoros 3-1 in Garoua. Bryan Mbeumo scored Cameroon's second goal in the 48th minute, just a few minutes after the restart. David Roy Nyengue had given Cameroon the lead in the first half before Danny Namaso sealed the win in the 81st minute.

The new Manchester United striker has therefore found the net in his first appearance of the campaign.

Mazraoui opens the scoring against Gabon

Morocco secured a 2-0 victory over Gabon in Rabat. Noussair Mazraoui broke the deadlock in the 36th minute from a pass by Nayef Aguerd. The Moroccan defender thus scored his national team's first goal of this qualifying campaign. Morocco then waited until the second half to make the difference definitive.

Rahimi seals Morocco's victory

Coming on in the 62nd minute, Soufiane Rahimi scored Morocco's second goal in the 84th minute. The striker was set up by Bilal El Khannouss before finding the net and confirming the Atlas Lions' victory. In less than half an hour, Rahimi therefore had a direct impact on the result.

Jackson scores as Senegal are held to a draw

Nicolas Jackson also found the net in Senegal's opening match. The striker opened the scoring in the 32nd minute against Mozambique in Maputo. The Mambas equalised just before half-time through Geny Catamo, in the 45th+2 minute. Despite several chances for both sides after the restart, the score did not change.

Senegal therefore left Maputo with a point (1-1), despite Jackson's goal.

Dorgeles, Mbeumo, Mazraoui, Rahimi and Jackson all scored on the opening day of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers. The first four accompanied their goals with victories, while Jackson and Senegal had to settle for a draw.

These five internationals are among the established players who have already left their mark on the opening day.

Nouya M'toama

Editorfr, en

Versatile journalist specializing in sports and political news, with extensive experience across radio, print and digital media platforms.

Related teams and leagues

Mali

Senegal

Cameroon

Morocco

AFCON - Africa Cup of Nations