The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers continued on Tuesday, featuring thrilling encounters that determined which teams would secure their places in the tournament set to take place in Morocco. DR Congo, Uganda, and Senegal celebrated significant victories, ensuring their advancement while other teams faced precarious paths toward qualification.
DR Congo Secures Spot with Late Surge
In an impressive display, DR Congo maintained their perfect qualification record in Group H, defeating Tanzania 2-0 in a match that was anything but dull. The encounter took place at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium, where the Leopards showcased their resilience.
Despite a goalless first half, DR Congo found their rhythm in the closing minutes of the match. Meschack Elia emerged as the hero for the Leopards, breaking the deadlock in the 87th minute. With a well-timed run and precise finishing, Elia found the net following a clever assist from Nathanael Mbuku. As the clock ticked down, Elia struck again in the 93rd minute, sealing the victory with a second goal that demonstrated his poise under pressure.
With this victory, DR Congo completed the qualifying stage with a perfect score of 12 points from four matches, confirming their spot at AFCON 2025 as one of the two teams advancing from Group H. Tanzania, on the other hand, is left fighting for their qualification hopes, currently sitting second with four points. They will need to fend off stiff competition from Guinea and Ethiopia as the remaining matches unfold.
Sadio Mane’s Last-Minute Heroics Propel Senegal
Senegal, the reigning AFCON champions, also secured their place in the upcoming tournament with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Malawi. The match, held at Kamuzu Stadium, seemed destined for a goalless draw until Sadio Mane stepped up in the dying moments.
In the 96th minute, Mane delivered a moment of brilliance, curling a stunning free kick into the top corner of the net from just outside the box. The goalkeeper could do little but watch as the ball soared past him, sealing the victory for the Teranga Lions. This late goal not only sent Senegal to the top of Group L but also guaranteed their spot at AFCON 2025, bringing them level on points with Burkina Faso, who sit in second place.
For Malawi, the defeat marked their fourth loss in the qualifiers, leaving them at the bottom of the group with no points and officially eliminating them from the race for qualification.
Uganda Clinches Spot Amidst Own Goal Drama
Uganda’s path to AFCON 2025 was marked by a hard-fought 2-1 victory against South Sudan in Group K. The Cranes started strongly, with Denis Omedi finding the back of the net in the 15th minute. However, South Sudan quickly equalized with a stunning strike from Yohanna Juma in the 21st minute, injecting hope into their campaign.
As the match progressed, Uganda demonstrated their determination to secure qualification. In the 66th minute, they were gifted the winning goal when South Sudan’s Alfred Leku inadvertently scored an own goal, a result of a defensive mishap. This stroke of luck allowed Uganda to regain the lead, and despite late pressure from South Sudan, they held on for the win.
The victory marked Uganda’s third win of the qualifiers, placing them at the top of Group K with 10 points. South Sudan, still searching for their first point after four matches, faces the harsh reality of elimination from the tournament.
Sudan Revives Campaign with Win Over Ghana
Sudan injected new life into their AFCON 2025 qualification hopes with a crucial 2-0 victory over Ghana in Group F. The match proved to be a pivotal moment for Sudan, who had struggled in earlier fixtures.
The breakthrough came in the 62nd minute when Ahmed Al Tash scored a well-placed header, igniting the home crowd’s enthusiasm. Just three minutes later, Mohamed Abdelrahman doubled Sudan’s lead with a powerful finish, putting them in a strong position.
As a result of this victory, Sudan climbed to second place in the group with seven points. Conversely, Ghana found themselves in serious jeopardy, remaining winless with just two points and sitting third in the group. Their chances of qualifying for AFCON 2025 are becoming increasingly slim as they prepare for their remaining fixtures.
Zambia Maintains Qualification Hopes with Narrow Win
In Group G, Zambia edged out Chad with a 1-0 victory, keeping their qualification aspirations alive. The match was tightly contested, with Kennedy Musonda scoring the decisive goal in the 70th minute.
Despite facing late pressure from Chad, Zambia’s defense held strong. Chad was awarded a penalty in the 85th minute, putting Zambia’s defense under immense pressure. However, goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata made a stunning save, preserving Zambia’s lead and securing the vital three points.
With this win, Zambia moved to second place in the group with seven points, still in contention for qualification. Chad, however, remains at the bottom of the table with just two points and no wins.
Gabon Boosts Qualification Chances with Solid Win
Gabon continued their quest for AFCON 2025 qualification with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Lesotho in Group B. The match showcased Gabon’s offensive capabilities and determination to secure a spot in the tournament.
Shavy Babicka opened the scoring in the 55th minute, converting a well-executed pass into the net. Rody Effaghe followed up with a second goal in the 84th minute, capitalizing on a defensive error by Lesotho to seal the victory for Gabon.
This win brings Gabon’s points tally to seven, placing them in second position in the group, just behind Nigeria. Lesotho, on the other hand, remains rooted to the bottom of the group, struggling with only one point to show for their efforts.
Conclusion
The AFCON 2025 qualifiers continue to deliver exciting matches filled with drama, skill, and unexpected twists. With teams like DR Congo, Senegal, and Uganda already securing their places in Morocco, others will need to rally in their upcoming matches to keep their qualification dreams alive. As the tournament approaches, the battle for the remaining spots promises to be intense, showcasing the rich talent and competitive spirit of African football. The next set of fixtures will be crucial, as teams aim to solidify their standings and vie for a coveted place in the prestigious continental tournament.
