The tightly contested second-leg encounter at the Côte d’Or National Sports Complex, located in Côte d’Or, Saint Pierre, Mauritius, concluded without a breakthrough after 90 minutes, mirroring the first leg played earlier in Mozambique, which also ended 0–0. The venue, regarded as the country’s premier sports and events hub, sits at the heart of Mauritius and hosted the decisive fixture under bright floodlights.

With the tie level after 180 minutes, the match proceeded to a penalty shootout. Somalia converted four of their spot-kicks with composure, while Mauritius missed two crucial attempts, handing the visitors a decisive advantage. Somalia’s players celebrated on the pitch at full time, gathering near the center circle as spectators responded with a mix of applause and subdued disappointment.

Head coach Yusuf Ali Nur maintained a disciplined defensive approach throughout both legs, with Somalia limiting clear scoring opportunities despite sustained pressure from the home side. "The players showed resilience and focus across both matches,” a team official told Diplomat News Network at the stadium. "Winning under this kind of pressure reflects growing confidence within the squad.”

Mauritius, backed by home support, displayed periods of attacking intent but struggled to convert possession into clear chances. Football analyst Mamode Ahmed said the team’s inability to finish opportunities proved decisive. "They controlled phases of the game but lacked precision in front of goal, which ultimately cost them,” he said.

On the ground, the atmosphere remained tense, with fans reacting audibly to missed chances and each penalty attempt. Security personnel and match officials maintained order as the shootout unfolded, while players from both teams showed signs of fatigue after the prolonged stalemate.

The result marks a significant step forward for Somalia, whose recent performances indicate gradual improvement in structure and competitiveness on the continental stage. Their defensive organization and composure under pressure were central to the outcome.

The Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers form part of the pathway to the finals, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Somalia now advances to the next phase, while Mauritius exits the competition despite holding home advantage in the decisive leg.