Football/Sadio Mane’s Last-Minute goal secures Senegal’s early qualification for 2025 AFCON

Sadio Mane’s last-minute goal secured Senegal’s qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) with two games to spare. The Teranga Lions were locked in a goalless draw against Malawi in Lilongwe until Mane, now with Saudi club Al Nassr, scored in the 96th minute, sealing a 1-0 victory.

With the win, Senegal moved to 10 points in Group L, joining Burkina Faso in clinching an early spot at the 2025 Afcon in Morocco. The reigning 2021 champions advanced despite recently parting ways with long-time coach Aliou Cisse.

Elsewhere, DR Congo also confirmed their qualification with a 2-0 win over Tanzania, thanks to two late goals from Meschack Elia.

The Leopards, who finished fourth in the 2023 Afcon, have been dominant in Group H, winning all four of their matches without conceding a goal.

Uganda edged closer to qualifying after defeating South Sudan 2-0, while other teams like Angola, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Mali, and South Africa had opportunities to qualify later that day.

On Monday, Cameroon and Algeria also secured their places. Cameroon won 1-0 against Kenya in Kampala, with Boris Enow scoring the decisive goal, while an 18th-minute penalty from Remy Bensebaini earned Algeria a 1-0 win over Togo in Lome.

The final rounds of qualifiers will take place next month, with the 2025 Afcon set to start on December 21, 2025, and conclude on January 18, 2026.