Senegal, DR Congo, and Uganda Triumph in AFCON 2025 Qualifiers
The road to the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco is becoming clearer as teams battle it out in the qualification rounds. Among the key players in the qualifiers are Senegal, DR Congo, and Uganda, all of whom have secured their spots in the prestigious tournament after a series of exhilarating matches across the continent.
DR Congo's Dominance in Group H
In an outstanding display of skill and determination, DR Congo continued their unbeaten run in Group H by securing a dramatic 2-0 victory over Tanzania at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium. The match remained goalless until the final moments, only to be transformed by Meschack Elia’s late heroics. Elia, demonstrating his scoring prowess, netted twice in injury time, with goals in the 87th and 93rd minutes, the first thanks to an assist from Nathanaël Mbuku. This win not only maintained their perfect record but also cemented their position at the top of the group, amassing 12 points from their four matches. Meanwhile, Tanzania clings to the second spot with four points, facing fierce competition from Guinea and Ethiopia for the remaining qualification spot.
Senegal Edges Past Malawi
In Group L, Senegal's journey to Morocco continued with a hard-fought 1-0 triumph over Malawi, courtesy of a late free-kick delivered by their star, Sadio Mane, in the 96th minute. This decisive victory places Senegal level with Burkina Faso at the top of the group, each standing at 10 points. Malawi, on the other hand, struggles at the bottom, winless and without points after four matches. The match was a nervy affair, with both teams battling tooth and nail until the very end, but it was Mane's moment of magic that made all the difference. Senegal's defensive resilience and tactical prowess proved sufficient to see them through to the AFCON 2025.
Uganda's Grit Seals the Deal
Uganda secured their place in AFCON 2025 following a dramatic 2-1 win over South Sudan in Group K. Denis Omedi opened the scoring for Uganda with a strike in the 15th minute, delivering an early blow to South Sudan. However, the lead was short-lived as Yohanna Juma equalized shortly afterward in the 21st minute. The match saw its decisive moment in the 66th minute when a defensive mix-up led to an own goal by Alfred Leku, gifting Uganda the win and maintaining their lead at the top of the group with 10 points. South Sudan, with zero points from four matches, remains at the bottom.
Sudan and Zambia Spring Surprises
Outside the aforementioned triumvirate, other teams also demonstrated impressive feats. Sudan revitalized their qualification campaign in Group F with a stunning 2-0 victory over Ghana. Goals came from Ahmed Al Tash and Mohamed Abdelrahman in the 62nd and 65th minutes, respectively. This vital win propels Sudan to second place in their group with 7 points, thereby jeopardizing Ghana’s AFCON hopes as they languish in third with just 2 points.
Gabon, too, showcased their mettle in Group B with a decisive 2-0 victory over Lesotho, moving to the second spot with seven points. The encounter witnessed Shavy Babicka break the deadlock in the 55th minute, while Rody Effaghe sealed the win in the 84th minute. Lesotho finds itself at the bottom with only one point, highlighting the challenges they face in this competitive environment.
Looking Ahead to AFCON 2025
The AFCON 2025 qualifiers continue to deliver thrilling clashes, as teams fight for the prized chance to compete on the African continent’s grandest stage come 2025. As it stands, the road to Morocco is being paved with glory for nations like Senegal, DR Congo, and Uganda, while others regroup and recalibrate their strategies for upcoming matches. The African football landscape remains as vibrant and unpredictable as ever, with each game telling a different story, adding layers of excitement and drama to an already captivating sporting saga.
Comments
rakesh meena
Senegal made it. That's all that matters.
Vinod Pillai
This is why African football is a joke. Late goals? Own goals? That's not skill, that's chaos. These teams can't even defend properly. And Mane scoring in the 96th minute? Please. The ref let them play 6 extra minutes and nobody complained? Fix the refs first.
Avantika Dandapani
Oh my goodness, I just cried when Elia scored those two goals in stoppage time! It's like watching a movie where the underdog finally finds their courage. I can't even describe how proud I am of DR Congo right now. This is why we love football!
Ayushi Dongre
The ritualistic nature of late goals in African qualifiers reveals a deeper structural tension between the ideal of sporting excellence and the chaotic reality of infrastructural instability. One might argue that the dramatic timing of these goals is not merely a function of athletic prowess, but rather an emergent property of systemic pressure and psychological endurance.
sandeep singh
Uganda? Really? They got in on an own goal? That's not qualification, that's luck. Senegal and DR Congo? Fine. But Uganda? They haven't won a single game without a mistake from the other team. This is why Africa needs real football, not lucky breaks.
Sumit Garg
Let me be clear: the 96th-minute free kick by Mane is statistically anomalous. The probability of a player executing a precise set piece under such fatigue, with the entire continent watching, is less than 0.3%. This suggests either extraordinary talent... or a manipulated clock. I've cross-referenced match logs from three independent sources. The official timekeeper in Malawi’s stadium has a history of irregularities. Coincidence? I think not.
Sneha N
✨ The silence before Elia’s second goal… the stadium holding its breath… then-💥-GOAL! I swear, I dropped my chai. My heart stopped. My cat jumped off the couch. This is why I live for football. 🥹⚽️
Manjunath Nayak BP
You think this is about football? Nah. Look at the timing. Sudan beats Ghana right after the Chinese ambassador visits Khartoum. DR Congo’s win? Right after the Russian defense minister tweeted support. Uganda’s own goal? Coincidence? The World Bank just announced new infrastructure loans for Morocco. This isn’t qualification. This is geopolitical theater. They’re using football to distract us from the real game: control. They want us to cheer for teams while they sell our minerals and silence our press. You think Mane scored because he’s a genius? He scored because someone told him to. And now you’re all clapping like trained seals.
Tulika Singh
Football reveals character. Not just skill.
naresh g
Wait, wait, wait-so Elia scored in the 87th AND the 93rd minute? But the match was supposed to be 90+3? So that’s 87 and 93, meaning 6 minutes of stoppage? But the article says injury time? And then Mane scored in the 96th? That’s 90+6? But how? Was there more stoppage? Did the ref add time for a VAR review? Or was the clock wrong? And who was the fourth official? What’s the official match report? I need to see the timestamped footage. This is mathematically impossible without external intervention.
Brajesh Yadav
Uganda got in on an OWN GOAL?? 😭💔 That’s not football, that’s a tragedy. I’m so heartbroken. My soul is weeping. 🥲⚽️😭 And Sudan beating Ghana? That’s the greatest upset since the fall of the Berlin Wall. I’m not crying, you’re crying.
Govind Gupta
There’s poetry in how DR Congo held their breath until the last gasp. It’s like watching a storm build over the savannah-quiet, then sudden, then unstoppable. That’s not luck. That’s rhythm. That’s the heartbeat of African football.
tushar singh
This is why I love the game. Every team fighting, every goal mattering. Senegal, DR Congo, Uganda-you’ve earned this. Keep pushing. The world is watching.
Robert Shealtiel
DR Congo’s win was impressive but the timing of those goals felt staged. Like a movie ending.
Marrissa Davis
I’m so proud of these teams! Especially Uganda-they didn’t give up even when they were down. That’s the spirit of football! 💪❤️
Sean Brison
The defensive mix-up that led to Uganda’s winner was textbook. That’s the kind of pressure-induced error you only see in high-stakes qualifiers. It’s not luck-it’s the weight of expectation cracking under pressure. DR Congo’s late goals? Same thing. Mental toughness wins tournaments.
Norm Rockwell
You think this is real? Look at the dates. DR Congo’s win was announced the same day the IMF released its African debt report. Senegal’s win? Right after the EU pledged $2B in 'sports development'. Uganda’s own goal? The day after the Moroccan royal family tweeted about 'unity through sport'. This isn’t football. It’s distraction. They’re using the AFCON to cover up the real crisis: debt traps, coups, and silenced journalists. You cheer for goals while your country gets sold off. Wake up.