AFCON 2027 qualifiers: three goals scored directly from free kicks after two matchdays

Three players have already scored directly from free kicks after the first two matchdays of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers. Sidny Lopes Cabral, Félix Afena-Gyan and Adil Boulbina have each found the net with a direct attempt.

Sidny Lopes Cabral was the first to make his mark in this area on the opening matchday against Mali. The Cape Verdean defender scored from a free kick in the Blue Sharks’ 3-1 defeat.

His free kick ended up in the back of the net after being slightly deflected by the Malian wall. It was the first direct free-kick goal recorded since the start of these qualifiers.

Félix Afena-Gyan follows suit

On the second matchday, Félix Afena-Gyan also scored directly from a free kick for Ghana against The Gambia.

The Ghanaian striker found the breakthrough with a direct strike, bringing the number of goals scored in this manner to two after the first two matchdays.

Boulbina completes the trio

A few hours later, Adil Boulbina added his name to the list with Algeria against Burundi. The Algerian striker equalised from a direct free kick, allowing the Fennecs to get back into a match that ultimately ended 2-2.

After two matchdays, Sidny Lopes Cabral, Félix Afena-Gyan and Adil Boulbina are therefore the three players to have scored directly from a free kick in these qualifiers.

This tally does not include goals scored after a free kick when the ball was touched, put back into play or deflected by another player before the winning shot.

Nouya M'toama

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

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Gambia

Algeria

Cape Verde

AFCON - Africa Cup of Nations