Ivory Coast – hosts of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations – crushed Seychelles 9-0 in a one-sided Group F clash in Abidjan.

Mali’s Commanding Win:

Mali displayed dominance in their match, initiating a goal spree with a Sebastien Haller penalty at the 20-minute mark, setting the tone for a commanding victory. Nottingham Forest’s Ibrahim Sangare added to the momentum with a goal just four minutes later. 

Karim Konate and Hamed Traore each contributed a brace, complemented by goals from Simon Adringa, Seko Fofana, and Jean-Philippe Krasso, culminating in an emphatic triumph.

Zambia’s Resilient Comeback:

In another thrilling fixture, Leicester City striker Patson Daka’s brace spearheaded Zambia’s remarkable comeback against Congo. Despite initially trailing, Zambia rallied, securing a 4-2 victory in their Group E encounter. 

Former Rangers forward Fashion Sakala added to the scoring, showcasing their resilience and determination to secure a winning start to their campaign.

Mali’s hard-fought 3-1 win over Chad in Group I and Zambia’s impressive comeback victory in their Group E fixture signal an exciting start to their respective campaigns, marked by spirited performances and a flurry of goals from talented players.