South Africa defeated Uganda 2-0 in Kampala, ascending to the top of Group D in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, while Botswana’s qualification hopes persist following a 1-1 draw with Mauritania. Both South Africa and Uganda have qualified for the upcoming tournament in Morocco, while Botswana still seeks favorable outcomes in their final match.
In a significant turn of events during the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, South Africa secured a 2-0 away victory against Uganda at the Nelson Mandela National Stadium in Kampala. This triumph propelled Bafana Bafana to the forefront of Group D, effectively surpassing Uganda, who remain in the running despite both sides having already qualified for the upcoming tournament in Morocco. The match featured a more assertive South African side, particularly in the latter half. The first half concluded goalless, characterized by a cautious approach from both teams. However, shortly after halftime, Thapelo Morena opened the scoring with an assured shot from the center of the box. Despite Uganda’s efforts to equalize, South Africa’s resolute defense, bolstered by seasoned players, thwarted their advances. As the match neared its end, Patrick Maswanganyi enhanced South Africa’s advantage with an 89th-minute goal, cementing their victory and securing their top position in Group D. In parallel, Botswana’s qualification aspirations remained intact as they hosted Mauritania in a Group C match that ended in a 1-1 draw. The Lions of Chinguetti took an early lead with Aboubakary Koïta’s spectacular long-range strike in the 7th minute, but the Zebras equalized shortly thereafter through Gilbert Baruti. Although both teams endeavored to secure a win, the match concluded without a further change in score, leaving Botswana needing favorable outcomes in future matches to secure their AFCON qualification.
The 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers have been a platform for teams to secure their positions for the upcoming tournament set to take place in Morocco. The competition is fierce, particularly in Group D where teams such as South Africa and Uganda are vying for supremacy. Simultaneously, Group C has seen Botswana contending for eligibility, as they require specific outcomes in their final matches to enhance their chances. With multiple matches impacting qualification, every point is crucial for the teams involved, creating an intense atmosphere across the qualifiers.
In conclusion, South Africa’s decisive victory over Uganda has placed them at the top of Group D of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, ensuring their participation in the upcoming tournament. Meanwhile, Botswana’s draw against Mauritania keeps their qualification hopes alive, although they must rely on positive results in their remaining fixtures. As both teams look to Morocco, the excitement and stakes of the qualifiers remain exceptionally high.
Original Source: www.cafonline.com
