Botswana has qualified for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 after a 1-1 draw against Egypt, marking their return to the tournament after 12 years. Mauritania also claimed a victory over Cape Verde, concluding their campaign successfully. The final standings of Group C revealed Egypt at the top, followed by Botswana, Mauritania, and lastly, Cape Verde.
Botswana has made a triumphant return to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 in Morocco after a 12-year hiatus. This achievement was secured following a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Egypt at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium on Tuesday. The draw concluded Egypt’s unbeaten run in Group C of the qualifiers, while Botswana celebrated their qualification by finishing second in the group, marking their first AFCON appearance since 2012. The match opened with early excitement as Botswana’s Omaatla Kebatho scored in the eighth minute, capitalizing on a precise cross from Kabelo Seakanyeng with an impressive shot into the top right corner. Egypt responded promptly, with Trezeguet equalizing in the 15th minute through a powerful strike from outside the box. Despite chances for both teams, the defenses held strong, leaving the score tied at halftime. In the second half, Egypt controlled much of the possession, creating several opportunities to claim victory. However, Botswana’s determined defense, led by goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko, thwarted attempts from players like Omar Marmoush and Ibrahim Adel. Realizing that a draw would suffice for qualification, Botswana adopted a cautious approach and successfully defended against the Egyptian onslaught, ultimately preserving the draw amidst seven minutes of added time. In another match within Group C, Mauritania edged past Cape Verde with a 1-0 victory, thanks to a goal from Mohamed Soueid just before halftime. This win elevated Mauritania to third place in the group, while Cape Verde concluded the tournament with a disappointing fourth-place finish. Final Group C Standings are as follows: 1. Egypt – 14 points (6 matches played) 2. Botswana – 8 points (6 matches played) 3. Mauritania – 7 points (6 matches played) 4. Cape Verde – 4 points (6 matches played)
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is a premier football tournament in Africa organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The 2025 edition of AFCON is set to take place in Morocco and will feature numerous teams competing for supremacy in African football. Botswana’s qualification for the tournament marks a significant achievement, given their absence from the last two editions. On the other hand, teams like Mauritania and Cape Verde faced contrasting fortunes, with Mauritania indicating a positive end to their campaign while Cape Verde faced struggles throughout the qualifiers.
In conclusion, Botswana’s resilience and disciplined approach during their match against Egypt secured their qualification for the AFCON 2025 after a notable absence. Their performance highlighted their growth in African football. While Mauritania concluded their campaign favorably with a victory, Cape Verde’s struggles illustrate the competitive nature of the qualifiers. Ultimately, the final standings reflect the different journeys of these teams in pursuit of excellence in African football.
Original Source: www.cafonline.com
