Liverpool star Mohamed Salah scored as Egypt cruised to a 4-0 victory over Botswana on Tuesday as matchday two of 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying drew to a detailed. Other African powerhouses had blended fortunes with South Africa snatching a last-gasp 3-2 win in South Sudan whereas Nigeria had been held 0-0 in Rwanda. Jean-Philippe Krasso, a late addition to the Ivory Coast squad, opened the scoring because the defending champions beat Chad 2-0 in Yaounde to guide Group G by three factors from Zambia.
East Africa had trigger for celebrations with Kenya beating Namibia 2-1 and Tanzania edging Guinea 2-1 to gather most factors from away outings.
Travel difficulties meant Botswana arrived in Francistown from Mauritania solely seven hours earlier than dealing with document seven-time AFCON title-holders Egypt, captained by Salah.
The residence workforce fell behind after solely 4 minutes when a Salah shot was parried by goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko and Mahmoud Hassan — popularly often known as Trezeguet — netted.
Trezeguet struck once more to provide the guests a 2-0 half-time benefit that was elevated on 56 minutes when Salah tapped in a cross that evaded 4 defenders.
Mostafa Fathy accomplished the rout in added time to provide Group C leaders Egypt a most six factors, having launched their marketing campaign final Friday with a 3-0 win over Cape Verde.
Goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari starred for Rwanda as they held 2024 AFCON runners-up Nigeria earlier than a vibrant Kigali crowd that included President Paul Kagame.
Ntwari repeatedly defied the Super Eagles, particularly Ademola Lookman, the lone African among the many 30 nominees for the 2024 Ballon d’Or males’s award.
Lookman claimed a hat-trick when Atalanta defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 within the UEFA Europa League closing in Dublin this 12 months.
Super sub Mbatha
When the Nigerian star did get the ball within the web in Kigali, from a header halfway via the primary half, the objective was disallowed as a result of a teammate had dedicated a foul.
Rwanda are 92 locations beneath Nigeria on the earth rankings, however their dedication and vitality had been commendable, and the Wasps deserved the purpose.
Nigeria have 4 factors, Benin three, Rwanda two and Libya one in Group D. The subsequent assignments for the Nigerians are residence and away fixtures towards the Libyans in October.
Substitute Thalente Mbatha was the toast of South Africa once more as he scored the Ninety fifth-minute winner towards minnows South Sudan on a synthetic pitch in Juba.
When the house facet solely partially cleared a Teboho Mokoena free-kick, Mbatha rifled the ball previous a throng of gamers and Australia-based goalkeeper Majak Mawith into the nook of the web.
After falling behind to a penalty transformed by Toto Okello, South Africa led 2-1 at half-time because of an Oswin Appollis brace.
Sloppy defending enabled Valentino Yuel to equalise on 57 minutes, and the Bright Stars regarded set to gather an sudden Group L level till Mbatha struck.
Mbatha made his nationwide workforce debut final Friday off the bench and likewise scored 5 minutes into added time, enabling South Africa to grab a 2-2 residence draw with Uganda.
Uganda prime Group Ok with 4 factors, forward of South Africa on objective distinction. Congo Brazzaville have three factors and South Sudan none.
A brilliantly struck free-kick by John Avire arrange Kenya for victory over Namibia in Soweto, and first place in Group J, above five-time African champions Cameroon on targets scored.
Mudathiri Yahya struck on 88 minutes to seize a 2-1 win for Tanzania over Guinea in Yamoussoukro. The Taifa Stars lie second in Group H, two factors behind the Democratic Republic of Congo.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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