AFCON 2027 qualifiers: Yalcouyé, Nyengue and Camara scored on their international debuts

The opening matches of the first round of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers have already produced several international debuts. Across the eight matches played on Thursday, September 24, 23 goals were scored by 22 different players. Three of them found the net on their first appearance for their senior national teams: Malick Yalcouyé for Côte d’Ivoire, David Roy Nyengue for Cameroon and Dawda Camara for Mauritania.

Malick Yalcouyé scored his first goal for Côte d’Ivoire on his international debut. Starting against Ghana in Bouaké, the Brighton midfielder opened the scoring in the 44th minute. The move began with Franck Kessié, who found the young Ivorian international. On the edge of the penalty area, Yalcouyé unleashed a shot that beat Lawrence Ati-Zigi at his near post. The Elephants therefore went into the break with the lead.

Côte d’Ivoire then doubled their advantage from the penalty spot. Kessié converted the penalty in the 58th minute after Yalcouyé had won it. The young midfielder was therefore directly involved in both of his team’s goals on his international debut, having been called up to the senior national team for the first time by Hervé Renard.

Read also: Côte d’Ivoire: Malick Yalcouyé makes an impression on his debut

Nyengue breaks the deadlock for Cameroon

In Garoua, David Roy Nyengue also found the net on his debut for the Indomitable Lions. Starting against Comoros, the Cameroonian midfielder broke the deadlock in a match that had remained tight for a long time.

In the 39th minute, from a corner taken by Danny Namaso, the ball came back into the box after a cross. Nyengue rose highest and headed home to give Cameroon the lead.

Bryan Mbeumo doubled the advantage in the 48th minute. Comoros then reduced the deficit through Warmed Omari, but Danny Namaso scored Cameroon’s third goal in the 81st minute. Final score: 3-1.

Dawda Camara puts Mauritania back in front

Mauritania also saw one of their new faces find the net. In Casablanca, Dawda Camara has scored in the 69th minute against the Central African Republic, just a few minutes after Goduine Koyalipou had equalised.

The score was 1-1 when Camara restored Mauritania’s lead. His goal put the Mourabitounes back in control before Mamadou Diallo sealed the victory in the 89th minute to make it 3-1.

Included in the squad selected for the first two matchdays of the qualifiers, Camara therefore also scored his first goal for the senior national team on his first appearance.

Read also: Dawda Camara earns Alverca another win and confirms his impact

23 goals and 22 scorers in eight matches

These three goal-scoring debuts came during a particularly prolific opening matchday. The eight matches played on Thursday produced 23 goals, with only two braces: Botswana’s Tumisang Orebonye against Libya and Zimbabwe’s Marshall Munetsi against Sierra Leone.

In total, 22 different players scored. Yalcouyé opened the scoring in the clash between Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, Nyengue gave Cameroon the lead against Comoros and Camara put Mauritania back in front against the Central African Republic.

All three experienced the same scenario on their international debuts: a first senior-team appearance followed by a first goal.

Nouya M'toama

Editorfr, en

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

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Cameroon

Ivory Coast

Mauritania

AFCON - Africa Cup of Nations