AFCON 2027 Qualifiers · Group H · Matchday 1 · FULL-TIME
🇱🇾 Libya 2 – 2 Botswana 🇧🇼
⚽ Al-Hbeishi 87′ · Maremi 90+6′ (pen) — Orebonye 30′, 42′
Thursday 24 September 2026 · 19:00 EAT (16:00 GMT)
Summary: Libya scored twice in the final minutes to snatch a dramatic 2–2 draw with Botswana in Group H. Tumisang Orebonye scored both goals as the Zebras went 2–0 up by half-time. M. Al-Hbeishi pulled one back in the 87th minute, and E. E. Maremi converted a penalty in the sixth minute of stoppage time to level the score.
How the match unfolded
Botswana made the brighter start away from home. After T. Kopelang was booked in the 15th minute, Orebonye opened the scoring on the half-hour, then doubled the lead three minutes before the break. Botswana went in 2–0 up at half-time.
Libya pushed forward after the break but struggled to break down the Zebras’ defence. H. E. Houni was booked in the 73rd minute as frustration grew. The breakthrough finally came in the 87th minute, when M. Al-Hbeishi scored to make it 2–1.
The finish was dramatic. B. Mangolo was booked for Botswana in the fourth minute of stoppage time, and two minutes later Libya won a penalty. E. E. Maremi stepped up and scored in the 96th minute to rescue a point.
Match timeline
- 15′ 🟨 T. Kopelang (Botswana)
- 30′ ⚽ T. Orebonye (Botswana), 0–1
- 42′ ⚽ T. Orebonye (Botswana), 0–2
- HT: Libya 0–2 Botswana
- 73′ 🟨 H. E. Houni (Libya)
- 87′ ⚽ M. Al-Hbeishi (Libya), 1–2
- 90+4′ 🟨 B. Mangolo (Botswana)
- 90+6′ ⚽ E. E. Maremi (Libya, penalty), 2–2
- FT: Libya 2–2 Botswana
Why it matters
For Botswana, it’s a painful near-miss: two points dropped in the final minutes. For Libya, the late fightback keeps them level in a host group where only one of Libya, Botswana and Tunisia can join co-hosts Uganda at AFCON 2027.