The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign is heating up, with several teams making their mark on match day 2. Egypt and Ivory Coast are leading the charge, with impressive wins that have put them top of their respective groups.
Egypt, the record seven-time AFCON title-holders, cruised to a 4-0 victory over Botswana, with Mohamed Salah scoring to maintain their perfect start to the campaign.
The Liverpool star’s goal was a highlight of the match, as Egypt showed their dominance from start to finish.
Salah was on the score sheet as Egypt thrash Botswana 4:0
Ivory Coast, the defending champions, also made a statement with a 2-0 win over Chad. The victory puts them top of Group G with six points, three points ahead of Zambia.
In other matches, South Africa snatched a last-gasp 3-2 win in South Sudan, while Nigeria was held 0-0 in Rwanda. The draw leaves Nigeria with four points in Group D, while Rwanda has two points.
READ MORE: Paris 2024 Para- Olympics: Last batch of 24 Team Nigeria athletes arrives Lagos
East African teams had a successful day, with Kenya beating Namibia 2-1 and Tanzania edging Guinea 2-1 to collect maximum points from away outings.
Here are the AFCON qualifiers full results and group standings after match day 2 :
Group C
– Egypt: 6 points (defeated Botswana 4-0)
– Botswana: 0 points (lost to Egypt 0-4)
Group D
– Nigeria: 4 points (held 0-0 in Rwanda)
– Rwanda: 2 points (held Nigeria 0-0)
Group G
– Ivory Coast: 6 points (beat Chad 2-0)
– Chad: 0 points (lost to Ivory Coast 0-2)
– Zambia: 3 points (behind Ivory Coast by three points)
Group K
– South Africa: 4 points (snatched a last-gasp 3-2 win in South Sudan)
– Uganda: 4 points (behind South Africa on goal difference)
Rwanda’s goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari was the hero for his team, starring as they held 2024 AFCON runners-up Nigeria in Kigali.
Ntwari repeatedly defied the Super Eagles, especially Ademola Lookman, who was nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or men’s award.
Substitute Thalente Mbatha scored the 95th-minute winner for South Africa against South Sudan, securing a 3-2 victory. Mbatha has now scored two crucial goals for South Africa in the qualifying campaign.
The results leave Egypt leading Group C with six points, while Nigeria has four points in Group D. South Africa tops Group K with four points, ahead of Uganda on goal difference.
The qualifying campaign continues in October, with Nigeria facing Libya in a crucial doubleheader. With several teams still in contention, the battle for a spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is far from over.
