Mali Beats Rwanda 3-2 to Lead AFCON 2027 Qualifying Group K
Mali maintained their perfect record under Portuguese manager Tony da Silva on Wednesday, overcoming two deficits to defeat Rwanda 3-2 and claim the top spot in Group K of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Super-Sub Secures the Win
Playing in front of a home crowd in Bamako, the “Eagles” were forced to dig deep. Rwanda took a surprise lead in the 29th minute through Jojea Kwizera, but Kamory Doumbia managed to pull Mali level just before halftime. The seesaw battle continued in the second half as Moussa Yeo equalized shortly after Phanuel Kavita had restored Rwanda’s lead.
The decisive moment arrived in the 84th minute when substitute Mamadou Camara found the back of the net, sealing a hard-fought victory. The win keeps Mali at the summit of Group K with a perfect nine points from three matches.
Cape Verde Bounces Back
Earlier in the day, fellow Lusophone nation Cape Verde reignited their qualification hopes with a 4-2 home victory over Liberia. The win marks a turning point for the “Blue Sharks” under new head coach Humberto Bettencourt, ending a grueling five-month winless streak that followed their historic 2026 World Cup run.
Cape Verde had struggled since their narrow round-of-32 exit against world champions Argentina, but this crucial victory lifts them to third place in the group, keeping them within striking distance of second-placed Rwanda.
Group K Standings:
- Mali: 9 points
- Rwanda: 6 points
- Cape Verde: 3 points
- Liberia: 0 points
The Road to AFCON 2027
The qualification process will determine 21 of the 24 teams competing in the finals. The top two teams from nine of the 12 groups will advance, along with the winners of the three groups featuring the host nations.
The 36th edition of Africa’s premier football tournament is set for a historic milestone, taking place between June 19 and July 17, 2027. For the first time, the competition will be co-hosted by three nations: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Image: Pexels – El gringo photo
