Comoros achieved a surprising 1-0 victory over Tunisia in their AFCON qualifier, marking Tunisia’s first home loss in over ten years. In contrast, Senegal defeated 10-man Malawi 4-0, while Mali narrowly beat Guinea-Bissau 1-0. Angola also secured a 2-0 win against Niger, enhancing their position in the qualifying campaign.
In a remarkable turn of events during the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, Comoros achieved a surprising 1-0 victory over Tunisia at the Rades Olympic Stadium. This victory marked Tunisia’s first home loss in over a decade during the AFCON qualifying rounds, while Comoros celebrated their inaugural win in this qualification campaign. Despite Tunisia’s dominance in possession, exceeding 70%, they struggled to penetrate a resolute Comoros defense. The decisive moment unfolded in the 63rd minute when Rafiki Said scored for Comoros with a well-placed right-footed shot, ultimately securing their victory. In another match, Senegal delivered a commanding performance, defeating 10-man Malawi 4-0. The match witnessed an early red card for Brighton Munthali, who was dismissed in the 16th minute for a foul on Senegalese star Sadio Mané. Senegal opened the scoring in the 35th minute through Pape Guèye’s powerful long-range effort. Sadio Mané extended the lead in the 69th minute, achieving his 45th international goal, followed by a quick response from Boulaya Dia two minutes later. Nicolas Jackson completed the rout in the 77th minute, marking his first goal for the national team after 17 appearances. Meanwhile, Mali secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau, with El Bilal Touré netting the sole goal in the 62nd minute. Although Mali faced challenges in breaking down their opponents, this hard-fought win solidified their position within their qualifying group. Additionally, Angola triumphed over Niger with a 2-0 result, with both of their goals coming in the second half, including a penalty conversion by Mabululu in the 75th minute and a subsequent goal by Milson ten minutes later. Niger struggled to pose any serious threat to Angola’s defense, allowing Angola to strengthen its standing in the group.
The AFCON qualifiers serve as a critical platform for national teams across Africa, offering them the opportunity to secure a spot in the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations tournament. The ongoing qualifiers are pivotal not only for team standings but also for the emergence of underdog victories, as evidenced by Comoros’ surprising win against Tunisia. As teams vie for advancement, the competitive nature of these matches elevates the stakes significantly, drawing considerable attention from football fans and analysts alike.
The recent 2025 AFCON qualifying matches showcased not only unexpected results, such as Comoros’ stunning upset over Tunisia, but also dominant performances from teams like Senegal. Each match significantly impacted the standings within their respective groups, heightening anticipation for the tournament. The resilience displayed by teams like Mali and Angola reflects the competitive spirit permeating the qualifiers, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of football.
Original Source: businessday.ng
