Comoros stunned Tunisia with a 1-0 victory in their AFCON qualification match, ending Tunisia’s long-standing home winning streak, while Senegal comprehensively defeated 10-man Malawi 4-0. Mali and Angola also secured narrow wins in their respective matches, highlighting a dynamic qualifying round for the 2025 AFCON.
In a surprising turn of events during the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, Comoros triumphed over Tunisia with a 1-0 victory at the Rades Olympic Stadium, marking Tunisia’s first home defeat in over ten years within an AFCON qualifying campaign. This match also signified Comoros’ inaugural win in the qualifiers. Despite Tunisia dominating possession with over 70% and generating numerous attempts on goal, they were unable to penetrate the resolute Comoros defense. The pivotal moment of the match occurred in the 63rd minute when Rafiki Said delivered a decisive right-footed strike that secured the win for Comoros. Further demonstrating their strength in this qualifying round, Senegal soundly defeated ten-man Malawi 4-0. Brighton Munthali was sent off in the 16th minute for a foul against Sadio Mané, significantly weakening Malawi’s chances. Senegal opened the scoring with Pape Guèye’s powerful shot from outside the box in the 35th minute, and they continued to dominate throughout the match. Sadio Mané later secured his 45th national goal in the 69th minute, shortly followed by two more in rapid succession from Boulaya Dia and Nicolas Jackson, the latter marking his first goal for Senegal after 17 appearances. Meanwhile, Mali managed a narrow 1-0 victory against Guinea-Bissau, where El Bilal Touré broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute, maintaining the Eagles’ strong position in their qualifying group. Additionally, Angola celebrated a 2-0 win over Niger with both goals occurring in the second half, including a penalty from Mabululu and a follow-up by Milson, ensuring Angola’s favorable standing in the group.
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is a continental championship organized by the Confederation of African Football, bringing together national teams from across Africa. The qualifying rounds are critical as teams vie for a spot in the tournament. Recent matches in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers featured significant performances, highlighting the unpredictability and competitive nature of the tournament. Teams such as Comoros and Senegal showcased their capabilities, revealing how the qualifying landscape can shift dramatically with each match.
In conclusion, the latest round of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers yielded remarkable outcomes, particularly Comoros’ unexpected victory over Tunisia and Senegal’s commanding performance against Malawi. The implications of these matches could significantly alter the dynamics of the qualifying groups, as teams aim to secure their positions for the upcoming tournament. Moreover, the victories for Mali and Angola further contribute to an intense and competitive qualifying process, reflecting the evolving nature of African football.
Original Source: businessday.ng
