Algeria moved closer to qualification for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) PAMOJA 2027 with a 1-0 win over Togo, while Angola scored twice in stoppage time to beat 10-man South Sudan 2-0 on Saturday.
Ramy Bensebaini settled Algeria’s Group I contest in the second half, while Chico Banza and Miro struck late for Angola in Group B.
The results gave both winners an important advantage before the return fixtures on Tuesday, 17 November.
Algeria 1-0 Togo
Algeria’s disciplined visitors frustrated the hosts for much of the opening half, limiting the Desert Foxes despite Algeria enjoying spells of possession.
Togo’s organised defence ensured there was no breakthrough before the interval, prompting Algeria to increase the tempo after the restart. Saadi Radouani, Mohamed Amoura and Fares Chaibi were introduced as the hosts searched for a way through.
Their pressure was eventually rewarded in the 76th minute. Bensebaini found the net after being set up by Anis Hadj Moussa to give Brahim Hemdani’s side a narrow but valuable win.
Togo could not respond, despite Kevin Denkey, Karim Dermane and captain Djene all being booked during the match.
Algeria now have seven points from three matches, having recorded two wins and a draw. Zambia are second with four points after drawing 1-1 with Burundi, while Togo remain third on three points and Burundi are fourth on two.
The Desert Foxes have the best goal difference in Group I at +3. They will face Togo again in Lome on Tuesday, when another victory would take them to ten points and put them in a commanding position to reach the continental finals.
Angola 2-0 South Sudan
Angola appeared set for a goalless draw despite having a numerical advantage for most of the second half, but two goals deep into stoppage time secured all three points against South Sudan.
The visitors were reduced to 10 men in the 48th minute when defender Angelo Geriga was shown a straight red card for unsporting conduct.
Angola responded by increasing the pressure, with coach Aliou Cisse making changes to try to break through South Sudan’s stubborn defence. Chico Banza came on in the 53rd minute and Miro followed in the 65th.
The substitutions proved decisive. Banza opened the scoring in the second minute of added time, converting after an assist from Miro.
South Sudan pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but Angola took advantage of the space to score again six minutes later. Miro completed the victory in the 90+8th minute after being played in by Zito Luvumbo.
Angola have seven points from three matches and are level with Egypt at the top of Group B. Egypt lead on goal difference, having scored ten goals without conceding for a mark of +10, compared with Angola’s +4.
Malawi are third on three points, while South Sudan remain bottom without a point after three successive defeats. Angola travel to South Sudan on Tuesday, knowing another win would lift them to ten points. Both Angola and Egypt remain unbeaten.