Somalia edge Mauritius on penalties to reach AFCON 2027 next round

Somalia secured their place in the next stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifiers after defeating Mauritius 4-2 on penalties following a goalless second leg on Tuesday.

With the first leg also ending 0-0 in Mozambique, the tie remained finely balanced throughout, ultimately requiring a penalty shootout to separate the two sides at the Côte d’Or National Sports Complex.

Stalemate across two legs

Despite both teams creating moments of promise, neither Somalia nor Mauritius could find the breakthrough over 180 minutes of football.

Mauritius, playing at home in the return leg, looked to take advantage of familiar surroundings, but struggled to convert their chances, extending a run of matches without a victory.

Somalia, meanwhile, continued to show defensive discipline and growing confidence under head coach Yusuf Ali Nur, ensuring they remained solid throughout the contest.

The second leg mirrored the first — tight, cautious and evenly contested — with both teams aware that a single mistake could prove decisive.

Penalty drama decides outcome

With no goals after regulation time, the match was settled from the penalty spot.

Somalia proved more composed under pressure, converting four of their spot-kicks, while Mauritius faltered at crucial moments.

The home side missed two penalties, allowing Somalia to take control of the shootout and ultimately seal a 4-2 victory.

The Ocean Stars held their nerve to complete the job, sparking celebrations among their players as they secured progression to the next round.

Somalia’s steady rise

The result highlights Somalia’s recent improvement on the continental stage, with the team showing resilience and organisation across both legs.

Having recorded positive results in recent matches, their ability to withstand pressure and deliver in decisive moments underlines their growing belief.

For Mauritius, the outcome marks a disappointing end to their campaign, particularly after hosting the second leg with hopes of advancing.

Looking ahead

Somalia will now move into the next phase of the qualifiers, joining other advancing nations in the race to reach the AFCON 2027 finals, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

While the margins were fine, Somalia’s composure in the shootout proved decisive — a reminder that in tightly contested ties, mental strength can be as important as technical quality.

After two goalless encounters, it was ultimately a test of nerve — and Somalia passed it.