Comoros Upsets Tunisia; Senegal Dominates Malawi in AFCON Qualifiers
Comoros shocked Tunisia with a 1-0 win in AFCON qualifiers, marking Tunisia’s first home defeat in over a decade. In other matches, Senegal defeated 10-man Malawi 4-0, Mali narrowly beat Guinea-Bissau 1-0, and Angola secured a 2-0 victory over Niger, highlighting the competitive nature of the qualifiers.
Comoros achieved a remarkable upset with a 1-0 victory over Tunisia in an African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match held at the Rades Olympic Stadium. This victory marked Tunisia’s first home defeat in over a decade during the AFCON qualifiers and gave Comoros their inaugural win of the current campaign. Although Tunisia dominated the match with over 70 percent possession and numerous attempts on goal, they were unable to penetrate Comoros’ resolute defense. The pivotal moment came in the 63rd minute when Rafiki Said netted the decisive goal with a right-footed strike. In a contrasting match, Senegal triumphed over 10-man Malawi with a commanding 4-0 victory. The match saw Brighton Munthali receive a red card for a foul on Sadio Mané in the 16th minute, which shifted the momentum decidedly in favor of Senegal. Pape Guèye initiated Senegal’s scoring with a powerful strike in the 35th minute, and the team continued to assert their dominance. Sadio Mané scored his 45th goal for the national team in the 69th minute, followed shortly by Boulaya Dia’s goal just two minutes later. Nicolas Jackson capped off the scoring in the 77th minute with his first goal for the national team after 17 appearances. In other significant matches, Mali secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau, with El Bilal Touré providing the only goal in the 62nd minute. Despite facing challenges from their opponents, Mali’s success fortifies their position in the qualifying group. Furthermore, Angola delivered a solid performance against Niger, winning 2-0 with both goals scored in the second half. Mabululu converted a penalty in the 75th minute, followed by Milson’s goal ten minutes later, ensuring a comprehensive victory for Angola, which places them in a favorable position within their qualifying group.
The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers are a series of matches that determine which national teams will participate in the prestigious continental tournament. This particular round of qualifiers saw unexpected outcomes, notably Comoros’ victory over Tunisia, which had implications for both teams’ standings. Tunisia, having previously won their initial matches, was anticipated to continue their winning streak, while Comoros aimed to make their mark with their first victory. In parallel, major teams like Senegal and Mali displayed their competitive prowess, emphasizing the intense nature of the qualifiers as nations vie for a spot in the AFCON tournament.
In summary, the recent AFCON qualifying matches witnessed significant upsets and commanding performances. Comoros’ unlikely victory over Tunisia demonstrated the unpredictability of the qualifiers, while Senegal’s dominant win against Malawi showcased their strength. Mali and Angola also capitalized on their chances, maintaining their competitive edge in the race for qualification. These developments highlight the excitement and intensity of the AFCON qualifiers as teams strive for success on the continental stage.
Original Source: businessday.ng
