Algeria and Angola leave it late to strengthen Afcon qualifying campaigns

Algeria and Angola secured important victories with late goals on Saturday to remain on course for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations finals.

Ramy Bensebaini struck in the 76th minute as Algeria beat Togo 1-0 in Tizi Ouzou, taking them to the top of Group I with seven points after three matches.

Angola also moved level with Egypt at the summit of Group B after beating South Sudan 2-0, although they needed two stoppage-time goals to settle the contest.

South Sudan were reduced to 10 men when Geriga Atendele was sent off for violent conduct three minutes into the second half, but Angola struggled to make their numerical advantage count. Substitute Chico Banza finally broke the deadlock in the 93rd minute after being set up by Miro, who added the second six minutes later.

Botswana recovered from an early setback to draw 1-1 with Uganda in Hoima. James Bogere put the home side ahead, but Losika Ratshukudu equalised before half-time.

Salah breaks Egypt scoring record

Mohamed Salah became Egypt’s record goalscorer in Friday’s 5-0 victory over Malawi, scoring twice late in the match to take his international total to 70 and move beyond former captain Hossam Hassan.

The result put Egypt top of Group B and gave new coach Ali Maher a winning start. Egypt’s fellow leaders Angola completed their victory on Saturday.

Cape Verde, who reached the second round of the World Cup, recovered from defeats in their opening qualifiers by beating Liberia 4-2 at home. Huddersfield Town debutant Derensili Sanches Fernandes was among the scorers.

Nigeria also responded to a disappointing result, making several changes after their 3-0 defeat by Guinea Bissau two months earlier. Tolu Arokodare scored twice in a 3-1 win against Tanzania.

Tunisia’s difficult campaign continued as they lost 2-0 at home to Libya in Sfax. Ali Youssef converted a penalty on the stroke of half-time before Hamdou El Houni scored in the 62nd minute.

Tunisia, the only one of Africa’s 10 World Cup teams to go out in the group stage, dismissed coach Sabri Lamouchi after their opening defeat. They have two points from three Group H matches, putting their record run of 17 successive appearances at the finals in danger. Coach Mouin Chaabani’s position is also under threat.

Jean Girumugisha scored seven minutes from time as Burundi drew 1-1 away to Zambia in Group I, while Ryan Ogam’s 90th-minute goal earned Kenya a 2-2 draw with South Africa in Johannesburg in Group D.

Mali came from behind to beat Rwanda 3-2 in Bamako, with Mamadou Camara scoring the winner. The victory was Mali’s third in Group K and leaves them one win from qualification.

Achraf Hakimi scored twice as Morocco defeated Niger 5-1 in Casablanca to maintain their perfect Group A record and move closer to the finals.

Ghana recover after poor start

Four-time winners Ghana claimed their first points in Group C by beating 200th-ranked Somalia 2-0 in Sekondi. Captain Jordan Ayew had a 14th-minute penalty saved before Jonas Adjetey headed Ghana in front in first-half stoppage time. Felix Afena-Gyan added a second soon after the interval.

Ghana had lost their first two qualifiers and dismissed veteran coach Carlos Queiroz, with women’s team coach Kim-Lars Bjorkegren taking temporary charge.

Democratic Republic of Congo beat Sierra Leone 3-1 and moved five points clear of Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe, who drew 0-0. Yoane Wissa scored after four minutes, Samuel Moutoussamy added a superb strike in the 35th minute and Edo Kayembe scored early in the second half.

Cameroon beat Namibia 2-0 in Douala, with Saidou Alioum and Bil Nsongo scoring inside the opening half-hour. Cameroon fielded a youthful side captained by 27-year-old Bryan Mbeumo, their oldest player.

Ivory Coast edged Gambia 2-1 in Bouake. Malick Yalcouye and Elye Wahi gave the hosts a two-goal lead before Musa Barrow ensured a tense finish.

Senegal beat Sudan 4-1 in new coach Patrick Vieira’s home debut. Nicolas Jackson put Senegal ahead before Mohamed Abuaagla equalised, but Boulaye Dia, Ibrahim Mbaye and debutant Pathe Mboup scored after the break to send Senegal top of Group J. Senegal are awaiting a court decision on their status as Africa champions.

Benin defeated Central African Republic 4-1 in Group F, with Aiyegun Tosin scoring twice, while Guinea beat Eritrea 2-1 in Group D.