Togo earn late draw against Equatorial Guinea in AFCON 2025 qualifiers
Togo secured a crucial 2-2 draw against Equatorial Guinea in a tightly contested Group E match during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers at the Nuevo Estadio de Malabo on Monday. A late goal from Kodjo Fo Doh rescued a point for the visitors, marking a dramatic end to a pulsating encounter.
Equatorial Guinea, eager to bounce back from their opening loss to Algeria, started the match on the front foot and took the lead in the 17th minute through Luis Nlavo.
The forward capitalized on a defensive lapse from Togo, calmly slotting the ball past the goalkeeper to send the home fans into early celebrations.
Togo, however, refused to buckle under the pressure and continued to push forward in search of an equalizer.
Etienne Amenyido came close to leveling the score in the sixth minute but saw his shot sail wide of the target.
Roger Aholou eventually brought the visitors back into the game just before the halftime whistle, scoring in the 45th minute to make it 1-1 after finding space inside the box and firing past the Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper.
As the second half unfolded, Equatorial Guinea regained control and appeared determined to secure all three points.
Their efforts paid off in the 75th minute when Jannick Buyla restored their lead, converting from close range after sustained pressure on the Togo defense.
Despite the setback, Togo remained resilient and continued to push forward in the final stages of the game.
Their persistence was rewarded in the 88th minute when Kodjo Fo Doh found the back of the net, securing a hard-fought point for the visitors and leaving Equatorial Guinea frustrated after conceding late once again.
Both sides entered the match searching for their first win of the AFCON 2025 qualifying campaign.
Equatorial Guinea had suffered a 2-0 defeat against Algeria in their opening game, while Togo had been held to a 1-1 draw by Liberia despite leading for most of that match.
The draw leaves both teams still in contention in Group E, but each will need to improve in the coming fixtures to keep their hopes of qualification alive.
Equatorial Guinea will rue their missed chances and inability to close out the game, while Togo will take heart from their fighting spirit and late equalizer as they look ahead to their next challenge.
With two games played, both teams remain without a win in the qualifiers.
As the road to AFCON 2025 continues, they will need to find consistency and cutting edge if they hope to secure a place in the tournament.
