Mohamed Salah helps Egypt to victory in Africa Cup qualifying as Tunisia are stunned by Comoros
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Mohamed Salah of Egypt celebrates scoring during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Mauritania.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
CAPE TOWN – Mohamed Salah was on target to help Egypt maintain their 100 per cent record in 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying with a comfortable 2-0 home win over Mauritania on Oct 11, but Tunisia slipped to a shock 1-0 home loss to Comoros.
The Liverpool star added to an opener from Trezeguet in Cairo, as Egypt toiled for almost 70 minutes before they broke the deadlock and won 2-0 to move six points clear at the top of Group C at the midway point of the qualifiers.
“Congratulations on the victory. We are not a small team. We must play in a different style, fast and offensive. The Mauritania match was difficult, and they are a very good team,” said Egypt coach Hossam Hassan.
“I told the players at half-time that I am happy with the performance, but we need to work on more than one thing, whether we have the ball or not. I was worried about the match, and the return match (on Oct 15) as well. The match stadium (in Nouakchott) will be difficult, and if we do not win there, that is more important to me.”
Tunisia were heavy favourites after starting their campaign with two wins, but despite 15 goal attempts fell to a lone strike from Rafiki Said just past the hour mark.
It was their first home defeat in Cup of Nations qualifiers since 2010 but they stay atop Group A with six points from three games. Comoros are second on five points, with the top two teams in each pool advancing to the 24-team Finals in Morocco.
Nigeria needed a late goal to seal a 1-0 home win over Libya as German-born midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru netted four minutes from the end to spare the blushes of the 2023 finalists.
It was an important win for Nigeria, who top Group D and are a point above Benin and five ahead of third-placed Rwanda with three games remaining.
Group G leaders Ivory Coast brushed aside Sierra Leone 4-1 in San Pedro, as Franck Kessie scored a brace, both netting and missing a penalty. Nicolas Pepe was also on target as they made it three wins from three matches.
Sadio Mane and Nicolas Jackson were both on the scoresheet for Senegal as they beat 10-man Malawi 4-0 in Diamniadio. Senegal and Burkina Faso are each on seven points at the top of Group L and favourites to qualify.
In Group J, leaders Cameroon eased to a 4-1 victory over Kenya as Bryan Mbeumo took his Premier League form with Brentford onto the international stage with a goal, to go with a penalty from Vincent Aboubakar, a first international strike for Martin Hongla and a goal from Christian Bassogog.
South Africa recorded their joint second-biggest win, as they thumped Congo 5-0 in Group K to continue their good form under Belgian coach Hugo Broos. They are joint leaders with Uganda on seven points. REUTERS
