Ivory Coast maintain perfect start in AFCON qualifiers with victory over Chad
Ivory Coast continued their impressive run in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, securing a 2-0 victory over Chad at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaoundé on Tuesday night. Goals from Jean-Philippe Krasso and Oumar Diakite propelled the reigning champions to the top of Group G with six points from their opening two games, strengthening their position as favourites to defend their title in Morocco next year.
The Elephants were in control for most of the game, with Krasso opening the scoring in the first half.
His composed finish set the tone for the match, as Chad struggled to match the pace and creativity of the Ivorian attack.
Oumar Diakite added the second goal, sealing the win and leaving Ivory Coast in a commanding position in the group.
Meanwhile, Zambia climbed to second place in Group G after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Sierra Leone in Ndola.
The match saw Chipolopolo take the lead twice, only for Sierra Leone to equalize on both occasions.
However, a late goal from Kings Kangwa proved decisive, giving Zambia their first win of the campaign.
Elsewhere, Cape Verde secured second place in Group C with a 2-0 win over Mauritania, thanks to a brace from Ryan Mendes.
Burkina Faso leapfrogged Senegal to top Group L following a 3-1 triumph over Malawi in Bamako, with Lassina Traore scoring twice.
In Group D, Benin came from behind to beat Libya 2-1 in Abidjan, courtesy of second-half goals from Steve Mounie and Junior Olaitan, moving them to within a point of leaders Nigeria.
In early evening action, Algeria cruised to a 3-0 away win against Liberia, with Amine Gouiri, Adem Zorgane, and Baghdad Bounedjah all finding the net.
Egypt maintained their lead in Group C with a comfortable 4-0 win over Botswana in Francistown, with Trezeguet scoring twice alongside goals from Mohamed Salah and Mostafa Fathi.
Gabon secured their first Group B win, defeating the Central African Republic 2-0, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Shavy Babicka on the scoresheet.
Tanzania produced a stunning comeback in Group H, overcoming Guinea 2-1 thanks to a late winner from Mudathir Yahya.
In Group J, Kenya beat Namibia 2-1 in Soweto to go top of the standings, while Cameroon were held to a goalless draw by Zimbabwe in Kampala.
South Africa’s dramatic 3-2 away victory over South Sudan in Juba was headlined by a second successive injury-time goal from Thalente Mbatha, pushing them level with Uganda at the top of Group K.
Nigeria were held to a 0-0 draw by Rwanda in Group D, while Mali earned a 1-0 win over Eswatini in Group I, joining Mozambique—who defeated Guinea-Bissau 2-1 at home—at the top of the table.
AFCON qualifying results – Tuesday, 10 September:
- Rwanda 0-0 Nigeria
- Mozambique 2-1 Guinea-Bissau
- Eswatini 0-1 Mali
- South Sudan 2-3 South Africa
- Botswana 0-4 Egypt
- Gabon 2-0 Central African Republic
- Liberia 0-3 Algeria
- Guinea 1-2 Tanzania
- Namibia 1-2 Kenya
- Zimbabwe 0-0 Cameroon
- Cape Verde 2-0 Mauritania
- Benin 2-1 Libya
- Zambia 3-2 Sierra Leone
- Chad 0-2 Ivory Coast
- Burkina Faso 3-1 Malawi
The AFCON qualifiers will resume in October with the highly anticipated Matchday 3 and 4 fixtures.
