In other weekend action, Salah breaks Egypt record, Tunisia lose to Libya, Mali within one win of finals

Algeria and Angola netted late goals to win their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers on Saturday night and keep on course for a place in next year’s finals.

Ramy Bensebaini scored Algeria’s 76th-minute winner in Tizi Ouzou as they edged Togo 1-0 and moved top of Group I with seven points at the halfway stage of qualifying.

Angola secured a 2-0 home win over 10-man South Sudan as they joined Egypt at the top of Group B, but they only overcame their visitors with goals in stoppage time.

Angola struggled for a long time to break down the resistance of South Sudan, who were reduced to 10 men after Geriga Atendele was sent off in the 48th minute for violent conduct.

They made the breakthrough thanks to their substitutes. During 11 minutes of stoppage time, Chico Banza opened the scoring in the 93rd minute after finishing a pass from Miro who got on the scoresheet himself six minutes later.

Botswana held Uganda to a 1-1 draw in Hoima, coming back after teenager James Bogere had scored early for the hosts. Losika Ratshukudu netted the equaliser before halftime.

In Friday’s matches, Tunisia’s dismal run continued with a 2-0 home defeat by Libya, while Mohamed Salah became Egypt’s record scorer in their 5-0 rout of Malawi.

There were key wins for Cape Verde and Nigeria, who had made disappointing starts to the 2027 qualifying campaign, but there were also frustrating home draws for past winners Bafana Bafana and Zambia.

Salah scored twice late on to take his international tally to 70 and surpass former captain Hossam Hassan’s record. New coach Ali Maher began his tenure with a comprehensive victory in Cairo that put Egypt top of Group B.

Tunisia were the only one of Africa’s 10 teams at this year’s World Cup to exit following the group stage, and they fired coach Sabri Lamouchi after their opening defeat.

Their woes continued against neighbours Libya on Friday as they lost 2-0 in Sfax to a penalty from Ali Youssef on the stroke of halftime and a 62nd minute effort from Hamdou El Houni.

The defeat left Tunisia with two points at the halfway stage of their Group H campaign and in danger of missing next year’s finals, which would end their record run of 17 successive appearances. Coach Mouin Chaabani’s short reign is also under threat.

Cape Verde, who thrilled the neutrals with their run to the second round at the World Cup, had lost their opening qualifiers in September but were back to winning ways on Friday with a 4-2 home triumph over Liberia, with debutant Derensili Sanches Fernandes from Huddersfield Town among the scorers.

Nigeria made multiple changes to their line-up after a 3-0 loss to Guinea Bissau in their last outing two months ago and bounced back with giant striker Tolu Arokodare scoring twice in their 3-1 win over Tanzania.

Defender Jean Girumugisha scored seven minutes from time for tiny Burundi to draw 1-1 away at Zambia in Group I while Ryan Ogam’s 90th minute strike saw Kenya hold South Africa 2-2 in Johannesburg in Group D.

Mali came from behind to beat Rwanda 3-2 in Bamako and win a third match in Group K and move within one win of a place in the finals. Mamadou Camara snatched their late winner.

African Footballer of the Year Achraf Hakimi scored twice as Morocco beat Niger 5-1 in Casablanca to maintain their perfect start in Group A and move closer to qualification.

On Thursday, four-time winners Ghana picked up their first qualifying points even if they had to sweat to beat lowly-ranked Somalia 2-0 in Sekondi to join other past champions posting victories.

Democratic Republic of Congo beat Sierra Leone 3-1 at home, Cameroon secured a 2-0 home over Namibia and Ivory Cost overcame Gambia 2-1.

Senegal, who are awaiting a court decision on their status as Africa champions, posted a 4-1 triumph over Sudan in new coach Patrick Vieira’s home debut.

Ghana lost their opening two Group C games in a shock setback at the start of the 2027 qualifying campaign and fired veteran coach Carlos Queiroz, putting women’s team coach Kim-Lars Bjorkegren temporarily in charge.

Captain Jordan Ayew had his 14th-minute penalty saved as 200th-ranked Somalia proved stubborn opposition but Jonas Adjetey’s header in first-half stoppage time put the home side ahead and Felix Afena-Gyna added a second soon after the break.

DR Congo, who like Ghana reached the second round at the this year’s World Cup, moved closer to securing early qualification as they won a third successive Group E game.

Yoane Wissa’ fourth-minute goal set the platform, and Samuel Moutoussamy made it 2-0 in the 35th minute with a superb right-footed strike into the top corner before midfielder Edo Kayembe added a third early in the second half.

The Congolese, with three qualifiers left, are five points clear of Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe, who played out a goalless draw on Thursday.

Senegal were being held 1-1 at halftime by Sudan after Nicolas Jackson opened the scoring, but Mohamed Abuaagla equalised.

Boulaye Dia, Ibrahim Mbaye and debutant Pathe Mboup scored in the second half to ensure Senegal top Group J.

Cameroon fielded a youthful side with 27-year-old captain Bryan Mbeumo the oldest player but were still too strong for Namibia as Saidou Alioum and Bil Nsongo scored in the first half hour in Douala.

Ivory Coast struggled at home to tiny Gambia, who had upset Ghana 4-2 away in their last game in September.

Malick Yalcouye and Elye Wahi put Ivory Coast ahead in Bouake, but Musa Barrow pulled one back to ensure an uncomfortable finish for the hosts.

Benin trounced the Central African Republic 4-1 in Group F with a double from Aiyegun Tosin while Guinea beat Eritrea 2-1 in Group D.