Ghana, Nigeria and Cape Verde all suffered surprise defeats on Tuesday as the second round of 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying delivered a series of major upsets.
Ghana surrendered a two-goal advantage in Accra as Gambia produced a remarkable comeback to win 4-2 in Group C, with Ebrima Colley scoring twice.
Nigeria endured an even more damaging result, falling to a 3-0 defeat away to Guinea-Bissau in Group L. The Super Eagles, missing injured striker Victor Osimhen, were comprehensively beaten by opponents ranked 106 places below them in the world rankings.
Cape Verde's struggles also continued. After impressing on their World Cup debut, where they held eventual champions Spain and took Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina to extra time in the round of 32, they suffered another setback in AFCON qualifying.
Having been outplayed by Mali in their opening Group K fixture, Cape Verde surrendered a lead at home to Rwanda and lost 2-1 in Praia.
Elsewhere, two-time African champions Algeria recovered from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw away to Burundi in Group I.
There were more expected victories for Morocco, Senegal and Egypt. Morocco defeated Lesotho 2-0, Senegal edged Ethiopia 1-0 and Egypt cruised to a 5-0 victory over South Sudan.
Egypt achieved their comfortable win without captain Mohamed Salah, who was rested amid concerns that the artificial surface in Juba could increase the injury risk for the Turkey-based forward.
Ghana's qualifying campaign is already under significant pressure after a second successive defeat left them bottom of Group C.
The Black Stars, who failed to qualify for the previous AFCON, had also lost their opening qualifier away to Ivory Coast.
Gambia had struggled to overcome Somalia in their first match but produced a much-improved performance in Accra.
Mohamed Badamosi and Omar Colley scored to bring the Scorpions level before half-time after Ghana had established a two-goal advantage.
Ebrima Colley then struck twice in the second half to complete an impressive 4-2 victory and leave Carlos Queiroz's Ghana facing two important November fixtures against Somalia.
Nigeria followed an unconvincing home victory over Madagascar with a heavy defeat against Guinea-Bissau.
Franculino Dju opened the scoring after 15 minutes, bending a shot into the far corner to give the hosts an early advantage.
Mama Balde doubled the lead in the 66th minute, racing through before seeing his effort go in off the far post.
Nigeria struggled badly in their attempts to respond. One corner sailed harmlessly wide, while a free-kick from just outside the penalty area was struck directly into the defensive wall.
Substitute Alvaro Djalo completed the 3-0 victory five minutes into added time, advancing towards goal as Nigeria's defenders retreated before placing a low finish beyond goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
Cape Verde, who missed the previous AFCON before finishing above Cameroon to qualify for the World Cup, initially looked on course for victory against Rwanda when Benchimol gave them the lead in Praia.
However, Claude Niyomugabo equalised for Rwanda in first-half stoppage time before Elie Tatou scored seven minutes after the restart to secure a 2-1 victory.
The result maintained Rwanda's perfect record in Group K.
Senegal secured a 1-0 victory away to Ethiopia thanks to Ibrahim Mbaye's decisive goal.
The result gave 1998 World Cup winner Patrick Vieira his first victory as Senegal coach after beginning his tenure with a draw away to Mozambique.
Meanwhile, defending African champions Ivory Coast left it late to defeat Somalia 2-0 in Group C.
Somalia, ranked 168 places below the 2024 champions, were forced to surrender home advantage because of security concerns.
Coventry City striker Yann Gboho came off the bench to break the deadlock in the 89th minute before Newcastle United midfielder Bazoumana Toure added a second deep into stoppage time.
