Comoros shocked Tunisia with a 1-0 victory in the AFCON qualifiers, marking Tunisia’s first home loss in over a decade. Senegal convincingly defeated ten-man Malawi 4-0, while Mali and Angola secured narrow victories over their respective opponents, underscoring the competitive nature of the qualifying rounds.
In a remarkable turn of events during the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, Comoros achieved a stunning 1-0 victory against Tunisia at the Rades Olympic Stadium. This result marked Tunisia’s first home defeat in over a decade during the qualifier stages, while Comoros celebrated their inaugural win in this campaign. Despite Tunisian dominance in possession, boasting over 70 percent and numerous attempts on goal, they failed to penetrate the resilient defense of Comoros. The pivotal moment of the match occurred in the 63rd minute when Rafiki Said found the back of the net, securing a historic victory for Comoros. In a concurrent match, Senegal showcased their prowess by thrashing ten-man Malawi 4-0. The match turned decisively early when Malawi’s Brighton Munthali was dismissed for a foul on Sadio Mané in the 16th minute. Senegal’s scoring commenced in the 35th minute with Pape Guèye striking from distance, leading to further goals from Sadio Mané in the 69th minute, followed by a quick goal from Boulaya Dia, and concluding with Nicolas Jackson’s first international goal in the 77th minute. Additionally, in another qualifier, Mali narrowly defeated Guinea-Bissau 1-0, courtesy of El Bilal Touré’s goal in the 62nd minute, which maintained their competitive position in the group. In a separate encounter, Angola emerged victorious with a 2-0 win over Niger, with both goals scored in the second half, ensuring a strong foothold in their qualifying group.
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is a premier continental tournament for African nations, showcasing the best of African football. The qualification rounds are highly competitive, with nations striving to secure their places in the prestigious tournament. The recent qualifiers have seen unexpected triumphs and challenges, reflecting the dynamic nature of football in the region. Tunisia, a traditionally strong football nation, faced an unexpected setback against the less-favored Comoros, while Senegal maintained their strength by defeating Malawi decisively. The performances of other teams, such as Mali and Angola, also underline the competitive landscape of the qualifiers, demonstrating that no match can be taken for granted.
The recent matches in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers have produced some surprising results, most notably Comoros’ victory over Tunisia, marking a pivotal moment in their football history. Senegal’s commanding performance against a weakened Malawi, alongside Mali and Angola’s victories, has significant implications for their qualifying prospects. As the qualifiers progress, these results underscore the unpredictable nature of football and the potential for upsets in even the most anticipated encounters.
Original Source: businessday.ng
