Africa Cup of Nations: The Thrilling Journey to Morocco Unfolds
The road to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco has been filled with surprises, drama, and heart-stopping moments. As the qualifying rounds reach their climax, several teams have secured their spots in the prestigious tournament, while others are fighting for survival.
Senegal Secures Victory in Dramatic Fashion
Sadio Mané’s incredible 96th-minute winner against Malawi sent Senegal through to the finals, capping off an intense match that saw the team attempt 30 shots on goal. Mané’s 25-yard free-kick curled around the wall and into the bottom corner, sealing a 1-0 win for the 2021 champions.
Ghana on the Brink of Disaster
Meanwhile, Ghana’s hopes of qualifying hang by a thread after a shocking 2-0 loss to Sudan in neutral Libya. Ahmed Al-Tash and Mohamed Abdel Rahman scored within three minutes of each other in the second half, leaving Ghana with a paltry two points from four games. They trail the qualification positions by five points, with a daunting trip to pool leaders Angola next up.
Other Teams Book Their Spots
Angola secured their place in the finals with a 1-0 win over Niger, thanks to Zini’s first-minute goal. Record seven-time winners Egypt cruised to a place in the finals with a 1-0 win over Mauritania, while Democratic Republic of Congo qualified following a 2-0 victory in Tanzania.
Defending Champions Stumble
Defending champions Ivory Coast suffered a stunning 1-0 loss to Sierra Leone, despite being top of their group. Amadou Bakayoko’s 85th-minute winner sealed the win for Sierra Leone, leaving Ivory Coast’s qualification hopes hanging in the balance.
Other Key Results
Coach Avram Grant’s Zambia claimed an important 1-0 win over Chad, taking a big step towards qualification. Gabon are also on course after a 2-0 win over Lesotho, while Morocco completed a statement 4-0 win over Central African Republic. Uganda beat South Sudan 2-1, topping their pool ahead of South Africa, who were held to a 1-1 draw in Congo. Rwanda beat Benin 2-1, while Tunisia were held to a 1-1 draw by Comoros.
The Road Ahead
With several teams already securing their spots in the finals, the remaining matches promise to be intense and thrilling. Will Ghana manage to turn their fortunes around, or will they miss out on the continental finals for the first time since 2004? The journey to Morocco has only just begun, and fans can expect plenty of drama and excitement along the way.
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