AFCON Qualifiers Recap: Stunning Upsets, Dominant Wins, and Tight Contests Define the Day

Yesterday’s AFCON 2025 qualifiers featured a thrilling slate of games as teams competed fiercely for a spot in the upcoming tournament. From Morocco’s dominant 4-0 victory to Sudan’s shocking upset over Ghana, the October 15 fixtures brought drama, surprises, and critical results that could reshape the race for qualification.

AFCON Qualifiers Recap – 15 October

1. Congo 1 – 1 South Africa
   • Bafana Bafana faced off against Congo, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw. South Africa opened the scoring with a well-executed goal, but Congo fought back, levelling the score in the second half. Despite creating a few promising chances, both teams settled for a point apiece. This draw keeps South Africa in contention but adds pressure for their remaining matches.
2. South Sudan 1-2 Uganda
   • Uganda managed a comeback win over South Sudan in a tightly contested match. South Sudan opened the scoring but couldn’t hold their lead as Uganda fought back with two goals, including a crucial late winner to secure three points. This result boosts Uganda’s qualification hopes while South Sudan faces an uphill battle in their remaining games.
3. Sudan 2-0 Ghana
   • In a surprising upset, Sudan defeated Ghana with a solid 2-0 victory, leveraging home advantage and capitalizing on their scoring opportunities. Ghana, despite controlling possession, couldn’t find the back of the net and will need to improve in their upcoming fixtures to remain competitive in their qualifying group.
4. Chad 0-1 Zambia
   • Zambia earned a hard-fought victory over Chad, courtesy of a single goal that proved to be the difference. The Zambians displayed resilience, keeping Chad at bay and securing a valuable win on the road. This victory moves Zambia closer to qualification, building on their previous performances in the campaign.
5. Lesotho 0-2 Gabon
   • Gabon took charge against Lesotho with a convincing 2-0 win. Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continued his scoring form, netting a goal that set the tone for the match. Lesotho struggled to penetrate Gabon’s defence, remaining winless in their campaign so far.
6. Rwanda 2-1 Benin
   • Rwanda managed a narrow 2-1 victory over Benin in a thrilling encounter. Despite Benin’s efforts, Rwanda’s determination paid off as they scored the decisive goal late in the match, propelling them to a crucial win. Benin will need to regroup quickly to keep their qualification hopes alive.
7. Central African Republic 0-4 Morocco
   • Morocco dominated the Central African Republic with a stunning 4-0 win. The Moroccan team displayed impressive offensive prowess, showing why they are favourites in their group. This resounding victory solidifies their position at the top of the group standings.
8. Ethiopia 0-3 Guinea
   • Guinea put on a clinic with a 3-0 victory over Ethiopia. They controlled the game from start to finish, scoring three well-worked goals. This win reinforces Guinea’s strong position in the qualifiers and puts pressure on their group rivals.
9. Egypt 1-0 Mauritania
   • Egypt continued their unbeaten run with a 1-0 victory over Mauritania. A goal from Mohamed Salah secured the win as Egypt dominated possession and maintained their strong defensive record. With this win, Egypt remains at the top of their group and looks set to qualify comfortably.

Conclusion:

As the AFCON qualifiers progress, teams are giving it their all to secure a place in the 2025 tournament. With standout performances, surprise upsets, and crucial wins from yesterday’s matches, the stakes are higher than ever. Fans can look forward to even more action-packed games in the coming rounds as teams continue to battle for a spot in Africa’s premier football competition.

Related article : Congo vs South Africa: 1-1 Draw Leaves AFCON Qualification Door Ajar