Tunisia take control as Eswatini claim away win in U-23 AFCON qualifiers

Tunisia secured a useful two-goal advantage over Benin while Eswatini claimed an important away victory against Malawi as the first round of the TotalEnergies CAF Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2027 qualifiers continued on Tuesday.

Tunisia defeated Benin 2-0 at the Stade Olympique de Sousse, with Omar Ben Ali scoring both goals after the visitors had held firm through a goalless opening half.

The hosts created several opportunities before the break, including efforts that struck the woodwork, but had to wait until the 57th minute to make their pressure count.

Ben Ali converted from the penalty spot to put Tunisia ahead before adding his second deep into stoppage time in the 97th minute to give his side a significant cushion ahead of the return fixture.

Benin had thought they had pulled a goal back shortly before Tunisia's second, but the effort was ruled out following a foul in the build-up.

The sides meet again at the Stade de Kégué in Lomé on 5 October, with the aggregate winners advancing to face Gabon in the second qualifying round.

There was also an excellent result on the road for Eswatini, who edged Malawi 1-0 at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.

The contest remained scoreless through the opening hour before Sibonelo Vlakati produced the decisive moment in the 73rd minute, firing home from the edge of the penalty area to put the visitors in front.

Malawi pushed for an equaliser but could not find a way through, leaving Eswatini with a slender advantage ahead of the second leg at the Somhlolo National Stadium on 6 October.

The winners of the tie will face Algeria in the second round.

The first-round action continues on Wednesday with five more fixtures as Djibouti face South Sudan, Togo host Libya, Rwanda take on Sudan, Angola meet Namibia and Zimbabwe entertain Mauritius.

A total of 42 nations are competing for seven places alongside hosts Egypt at the eight-team TotalEnergies CAF Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations 2027. The continental finals will also form part of Africa's pathway to the men's football tournament at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.