Algeria and Angola strengthened their bids for a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) with late victories in Saturday’s qualifiers.
Ramy Bensebaini scored in the 76th minute as Algeria defeated Togo 1-0 in Tizi Ouzou, moving to the top of Group I with seven points at the halfway stage of the campaign.
Angola also left it late, beating 10-man South Sudan 2-0 at home to join Egypt at the summit of Group B. The hosts were frustrated for much of the match before South Sudan defender Geriga Atendele was dismissed for violent conduct in the 48th minute.
Angola eventually broke through through two substitutes during 11 minutes of added time. Chico Banza put them ahead in the 93rd minute after being set up by Miro, who then scored himself six minutes later.
Botswana came from behind to draw 1-1 with Uganda in Hoima. James Bogere gave the hosts an early lead, but Losika Ratshukudu equalised before half-time.
Salah breaks Egypt record as Tunisia struggle
Mohamed Salah became Egypt’s record goalscorer on Friday, scoring twice late in a 5-0 win over Malawi to take his international total to 70 and move beyond former captain Hossam Hassan.
The result gave new Egypt coach Ali Maher a winning start and put the team top of Group B. It was one of a series of important victories for sides including Cape Verde and Nigeria, who had endured disappointing opening results in qualifying.
Cape Verde, who reached the second round at the World Cup, had lost their first two qualifiers in September but responded with a 4-2 home win over Liberia. Huddersfield Town debutant Derensili Sanches Fernandes was among the scorers.
Nigeria made several changes after a 3-0 defeat by Guinea Bissau two months ago and recovered with a 3-1 victory over Tanzania, with giant striker Tolu Arokodare scoring twice.
Tunisia’s difficult period continued with a 2-0 home defeat by Libya in Sfax. Ali Youssef scored from the penalty spot just before half-time, while Hamdou El Houni added a second in the 62nd minute.
Tunisia, the only one of Africa’s 10 teams at this year’s World Cup to go out in the group stage, dismissed coach Sabri Lamouchi after their opening defeat. They now have only two points from their Group H games and risk missing next year’s finals, which would end their record sequence of 17 successive appearances. Coach Mouin Chaabani’s position is also under pressure.
Elsewhere, Jean Girumugisha scored seven minutes from time as Burundi drew 1-1 away to Zambia in Group I. Kenya held South Africa to a 2-2 draw in Johannesburg after Ryan Ogam scored in the 90th minute in Group D.
Mali overturned a deficit to beat Rwanda 3-2 in Bamako, with Mamadou Camara scoring the late winner. The victory was their third in Group K and leaves them one win away from qualification.
Achraf Hakimi scored twice as Morocco thrashed Niger 5-1 in Casablanca to maintain their perfect Group A record and move closer to the finals.
Senegal, Ghana and DR Congo claim wins
Four-time champions Ghana earned their first points in Group C by beating 200th-ranked Somalia 2-0 in Sekondi, although they were made to work for the victory.
Captain Jordan Ayew had a 14th-minute penalty saved before Jonas Adjetey headed Ghana in front in first-half stoppage time. Felix Afena-Gyna added the second shortly after the interval.
Ghana had lost their opening two matches in a surprise start to qualifying, leading to Carlos Queiroz being dismissed. Women’s team coach Kim-Lars Bjorkegren was placed temporarily in charge.
Democratic Republic of Congo took another step towards early qualification with a third successive Group E win, defeating Sierra Leone 3-1. Yoane Wissa scored in the fourth minute, Samuel Moutoussamy doubled the lead with a right-footed shot into the top corner in the 35th minute, and Edo Kayembe completed the scoring early in the second half.
With three qualifiers remaining, DR Congo are five points clear of Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe, who drew 0-0 on Thursday.
Senegal, who are awaiting a court decision on their status as Africa champions, beat Sudan 4-1 in new coach Patrick Vieira’s first home match. Nicolas Jackson put them ahead before Mohamed Abuaagla equalised, but Boulaye Dia, Ibrahim Mbaye and debutant Pathe Mboup scored after the break to keep Senegal top of Group J.
Cameroon defeated Namibia 2-0 in Douala with first-half goals from Saidou Alioum and Bil Nsongo. Captain Bryan Mbeumo, aged 27, was the oldest member of a youthful Cameroon side.
Ivory Coast overcame Gambia 2-1 in Bouake, despite a tense finish. Malick Yalcouye and Elye Wahi gave the hosts a two-goal advantage before Musa Barrow pulled one back. Gambia had beaten Ghana 4-2 away in their previous match in September.
Benin defeated Central African Republic 4-1 in Group F, with Aiyegun Tosin scoring twice, while Guinea beat Eritrea 2-1 in Group D.
