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Oct 9 2024
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.
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