AFCON Qualifiers: Egypt Triumphs, Tunisia Shocked by Comoros
In AFCON qualifiers, Egypt remains unbeaten after a 2-0 victory over Mauritania led by Mohamed Salah. Tunisia suffers a shock 1-0 loss to Comoros. Nigeria tops Group D with a late win against Libya, while Senegal and Ivory Coast continue strong campaigns. South Africa records a 5-0 win, and Uganda retains its lead with a narrow victory over South Sudan. Zambia’s campaign falters with a draw against Chad.
In the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Mohamed Salah was instrumental in Egypt’s 2-0 victory over Mauritania, ensuring that Egypt maintains an unbeaten record. Following a challenging 70 minutes, Trezeguet opened the scoring before Salah added a second goal, propelling Egypt six points clear at the top of Group C at the halfway stage of the qualifiers. Conversely, Tunisia experienced an unexpected setback, suffering a 1-0 home defeat to Comoros despite being favorites, as Rafiki Said scored the crucial goal for the visitors, marking Tunisia’s first loss at home in Cup of Nations qualifiers since 2010. Tunisia remains atop Group A with six points from three matches, closely pursued by Comoros, which has accumulated five points. In another notable match, Nigeria secured a narrow 1-0 victory against Libya, with a late goal from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru ensuring their lead in Group D, ahead by five points over third-placed Rwanda. Ivory Coast triumphed with a decisive 4-1 win over Sierra Leone, led by a standout performance from Franck Kessie, who scored twice, whilst also missing a penalty. Senegal also showcased their prowess, defeating Malawi 4-0, as Sadio Mane and Nicolas Jackson contributed to the scoreline. Cameroon dominated their match against Kenya, winning 4-1, with highlights including Bryan Mbeumo’s goal and multiple strikes from teammates. South Africa celebrated a commanding 5-0 victory over Congo, marking one of their largest wins in history. In other fixtures, Uganda continued its strong campaign with a 1-0 win against South Sudan, maintaining control of their group. While teams like Equatorial Guinea, Benin, Angola, and Mali secured victories, Zambia faced disappointment, managing only a 0-0 draw against Chad, thereby complicating their standings.
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is a prestigious football tournament in Africa, featuring national teams vying for continental supremacy. The qualifiers for the 2025 tournament are crucial as teams compete for a place in the final 24-team tournament scheduled to take place in Morocco. The competition format involves groups where the top two teams advance, making each match highly significant. Teams such as Egypt, Tunisia, Nigeria, and Senegal are traditionally strong contenders, while surprises can often emerge from underdog teams, as seen with Comoros’ recent victory over Tunisia.
The latest round of AFCON qualifiers has produced a mix of expected outcomes and surprising results. Egypt’s continued dominance and Nigeria’s essential victory highlight their intents to qualify, while Tunisia’s unexpected defeat underscores the unpredictability of the tournament. Further matches are anticipated as teams strive to secure their positions for the finals in Morocco.
Original Source: sportstar.thehindu.com
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