A dramatic injury-time goal from Sadio Mane secured Senegal’s place in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals, alongside Angola, DR Congo, and Egypt, who have all qualified with two matches left to play in the qualifiers. Mane’s decisive strike in the 96th minute earned the Teranga Lions a 1-0 win over Malawi, sealing their qualification in dramatic fashion.
The match, held in Lilongwe, Malawi, seemed destined for a goalless draw before Mane, currently playing for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, found the back of the net in the dying moments. The victory pushes Senegal to 10 points in Group L, where they now sit alongside Burkina Faso, who have also qualified for the 2025 tournament set to be held in Morocco. Senegal’s win ensures they will compete in the tournament, despite having parted ways with long-time coach Aliou Cisse earlier this month.
Senegal, the 2021 AFCON champions, continue to build on their success as one of Africa’s top footballing nations. Mane’s late heroics underscore the resilience of the Teranga Lions, who have consistently performed at the highest level on the continent in recent years. Their qualification with two matches remaining is a testament to the team’s depth and determination, even during a period of transition following the departure of Cisse.
Elsewhere in the qualifiers, there were surprises, particularly with reigning continental champions Ivory Coast. The Elephants suffered a shocking 1-0 defeat away to Sierra Leone, a result that has raised eyebrows across the footballing world. While Ivory Coast has already qualified for the 2025 AFCON as the host nation, their performance in the qualifiers has been lackluster, raising concerns about their form ahead of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Ghana, a traditional African football powerhouse, faces the possibility of missing out on the 2025 AFCON. The Black Stars are in a precarious position in Group F, sitting in third place with just two points from four games. A 1-0 defeat to Sudan has put their hopes of qualification in serious jeopardy. With only two matches remaining, Ghana must win both their upcoming fixtures against Angola and Niger next month to have any chance of progressing. Even then, their fate is no longer in their hands, as they must rely on Sudan, who have seven points, to lose both of their remaining matches.
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