The Super Eagles of Nigeria are through to the finals of the 2025 African Nations Cup to be hosted by Morocco.
Thanks to Libya’s 1-0 win over Rwanda on Thursday at the Amahoro stadium in Kigali. This means that Nigeria with ten points will finish either as Group D winners or runners up.
In a related development, South Sudan overcame Congo in a five-goal spectacle in their 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Thursday, helping Uganda and South Africa to qualify for the tournament to be played in Morocco next year.
In an action-packed game at Juba National Stadium, South Sudan edged Congo 3-2 in Group K to secure their first points of the qualifying campaign.
The home side showed resilience, overturning a 2-1 deficit to secure a crucial victory and spark massive jubilation among the home fans.
The Group K result means, Uganda leads the group with 10 points, followed by South Africa with eight. South Sudan’s victory brings them to three points, just behind Congo on four points.
With just one match remaining, third-placed Congo cannot overtake Uganda and South Africa paving the way for the top two countries to qualify for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
It was Congo that showed the determination to win the match and opened the scoring in the 26th minute when Christopher Ibayi headed home from close range.
South Sudan quickly responded through Ebon Malish in the 31st minute, leveling the game with a powerful header.
However, Congo regained their lead just four minutes later, as Ibayi scored his second with a well-taken shot from a tight angle.
South Sudan fought back fiercely, and Malish equalized once again in the 45+2′ minute, heading in a cross from William Gama.
With momentum on their side, South Sudan continued to press in the second half. The turning point came in the 78th minute, as Bryan Passi of Congo received a red card, reducing the visitors to 10 men.
In the 84th minute, substitute Data Elly scored the winning goal with a clinical finish, securing South Sudan’s first win of the campaign.
Meanwhile, Lesotho claimed a narrow 1-0 victory over the Central African Republic (CAR) in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Thursday that helped Gabon to qualify for next year’s competition to be held in Morocco.
The Crocodiles hosted the Wild Beasts at the Free State Toyota Stadium, where the solitary goal decided the outcome of the Group B match.
Neo Mokhachane netted in the 51st minute, converting a close-range opportunity to seal the victory for Lesotho.
in Group B, Morocco tops the standings with a perfect record, while Gabon follows with seven points. Lesotho’s win places them third, leaving CAR at the bottom with three points.
Gabon are assured of a top-two finish in Group B as their closest rivals Lesotho, on four points, cannot overtake them even though they have one match remaining.
Lesotho could finish level on seven points with Gabon, but would lose out on the head-to-head rule having been beaten by the Panthers and the other match ending in a draw.
The game saw both sides struggling to create clear chances in a match filled with physical duels.
Lesotho’s defense remained solid, holding off CAR’s attacking efforts.
Louis Mafouta came close for CAR, hitting the post with a header in the 73rd minute, but luck was not on their side.
Lesotho’s win lifts them to third in Group B, overtaking CAR even though their chances of qualifying has ended.
CAR, however, finds themselves rooted at the bottom, with Morocco and Gabon leading the group.
Tunisia secured their passege into the finals with 3-2 away win over Madagascar which gives then 10 points, 4 more than Comoros Island and 5 ahead of The Gambia with a game to play.
On Friday, Zambia and neighbour Zimbabwe are likely to book their tickets to Morocco.
A win over Cote D’Ivoire in Ndola will secure a place for Zambia in Morocco while Zimbabwe needs just a point in the clash against Kenya to land in Morocco.
Results so on Match Day 5
Niger Republic 4
Sudan 0
Madagascar 2
Tunisia 3
Rwanda 0
Libya 1
Namibia 0
Cameroon 0
Liberia 1
Togo 0
Chad 1
Sierra Leone 1
South Sudan 3
Congo Brazz 2
Lesotho 1
Central African Republic 0
Equatorial Guinea 0
Algeria 0
Author: Mujuni Henry
JUNIITV
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