Lesotho Repulse “Pirates” to Reach AFCON 2027 Group Stage

Lesotho came from behind to defeat Seychelles 2-1 in their second-leg encounter of the preliminary campaign on Sunday, March 29th, 2026 at The Free State Stadium in  Bloemfontein  to seal qualification for the next round of the 2027 Pamoja Africa Cup of Nations. 

Seychelles nicknamed Pirates broke the deadlock through Seychelles First Division club Foresters Mont Fleuri  forward Brandon Labrosse to give the visitors a first half lead.

Second half goals from  Casric Stars on loan from South African Premier Division side Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Lebohang Lesako and Sera Motebang turned the tables for the Pirates.

Action in the preliminary round will come to end on Tuesday with four other nations joining South Sudan and Lesotho to compete in the group stage qualifiers.

Afcon 2027 will co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania as confirmed by CAF president Patrice Motsepe despite infrastructural challenges at the moment.

• Eswatini vs Eritrea – Somhlolo National Stadium, Lobamba 5pm
• Mauritius vs Somalia – National Sports Complex, Saint Pierre 6pm
• Burundi vs Chad – Stade Intwari, Bujumbura 4pm
• Ethiopia vs Sao Tome e Principe – Dire Dawa Stadium 4pm