Tuesday night saw a few more friendly international matches involving African sides who are working to prepare for upcoming 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Cape Verde recorded a stunning 2-0 victory over Portugal at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota in Estoril, defeating the Europeans in what was their only loss to African opposition since a Moroccan win in 1986.

Portugal were without star player Cristiano Ronaldo, but coach Rui Aguas would still have expected a victory over the African islanders. A Odair Fortes cross turned shot slipped past keeper Anthony Lopes for the 38th minute opener, while Gege made it 2-0 for Cape Verde five minutes later.

Andre Pinto was sent off for Portugal in the second half, but despite the setback the Portuguese continued to pile on the attacking pressure that characterised most of the match, but the visiting Africans did incredibly well to defend with passion and stop the hosts from getting on the score sheet.

The match was played to raise funds for the numerous victims of a damaging volcanic eruption on the island of Fogo in Cape Verde, and it will go down in history as a memorable victory for Cape Verde over top European opposition.

In a friendly match involving two African sides, Ghana and Mali ended a vibrant match with a 1-1 stalemate. The game was played at the Stade Charléty in Paris, with many of the players on the pitch based in Europe, and specifically France, so they did not have far to travel to represent their respective nations.

The goalscoring action was reserved for the second half of the encounter, with Avram Grant’s side desperate to get back to winning ways after a 2-1 defeat to Senegal at the weekend, but it was not to be, as a draw was all they could achieve.

Udinese midfielder Agyemang Badu found the opener for the Black Stars on 56 minutes, but the Eagles equalised through Bakary Sakho in the 71st minute.