South Africa climbed to the top of Group D in the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with a 2-0 victory over Uganda, while Botswana remained in contention for qualification with a 1-1 draw against Mauritania. Both South Africa and Uganda have already secured their places for the tournament in Morocco, with Botswana’s hopes hinging on favorable outcomes in future matches.
In a pivotal match for the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, South Africa secured a 2-0 victory over Uganda, taking the lead in Group D. Despite both teams having already qualified for the tournament in Morocco, the match at the Nelson Mandela National Stadium in Kampala saw South Africa’s Thapelo Morena score shortly after the halftime break, followed by a late goal from Patrick Maswanganyi in the 89th minute. Meanwhile, Botswana has kept their qualification hopes alive following a 1-1 draw with Mauritania, requiring favorable outcomes in future matches to advance. During the encounter, South Africa dominated the second half, initially facing a tightly contested first half. The decisive moment came just after the break when Morena skillfully found the net, demonstrating South Africa’s superior form. Although Uganda attempted to respond, they failed to break through South Africa’s resilient defense, which was bolstered by veteran players. The match concluded on a high note for South Africa, solidifying their top position in the group. In a crucial Group C match, Botswana faced Mauritania with the urgency of needing a win to enhance their chances of qualifying. Mauritania seized an early advantage with a stunning long-range goal from Aboubakary Koïta. However, Botswana quickly equalized through Gilbert Baruti, who effectively converted a set piece just minutes later. The draw allowed Botswana to maintain their qualifying aspirations, contingent on favorable results in their forthcoming fixtures.
The 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers feature numerous national teams competing for a place in the prestigious tournament scheduled to be held in Morocco. South Africa and Uganda are among the prominent teams vying for qualification in Group D. Both have already secured spots in the tournament; however, their match was critical for determining group leadership. In Group C, Botswana’s performance against Mauritania was vital for keeping their slim hopes of qualifying alive, as they now require favorable outcomes in their remaining encounters to progress further in the tournament.
The recent matches in the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers have showcased critical developments in Group D and C. South Africa’s strong performance against Uganda not only solidified their leading position but also demonstrated their formidable capabilities in the competition. Concurrently, Botswana’s draw against Mauritania keeps their qualification dreams alive, underscoring the competitive nature of these qualifiers as teams aim for success in Morocco.
Original Source: www.cafonline.com
