Four-times winners Ghana picked up their first Africa Cup of Nations qualifying points on Thursday even if they had to sweat to beat lowly-ranked Somalia 2-0 in Sekondi to join other past champions posting victories.
Ghana lost their opening two Group C games in a shock setback at the start of the 2027 qualifying campaign and fired veteran coach Carlos Queiroz, putting women’s team coach Kim-Lars Bjorkegren temporarily in charge.
Captain Jordan Ayew had his 14th-minute penalty saved as 200th-ranked Somalia proved stubborn opposition but Jonas Adjetey’s header in first-half stoppage time put the home side ahead and Felix Afena-Gyna added a second soon after the break.
DR Congo, who like Ghana reached the second round at the this year’s World Cup, moved closer to securing early qualification as they won a third successive Group E game.
Yoane Wissa’ fourth-minute goal set the platform, and Samuel Moutoussamy made it 2-0 in the 35th minute with a superb right-footed strike into the top corner before midfielder Edo Kayembe added a third early in the second half.
The Congolese, with three qualifiers left, are five points clear of Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe, who played out a goalless draw on Thursday in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Benin trounced the Central African Republic 4-1 in Group F with a double from Aiyegun Tosin while Guinea beat Eritrea 2-1 in Group D.
