Salah scores in Egypt romp, South Africa win & Rwanda hold Nigeria

Mohamed Salah, the Liverpool forward, contributed to Egypt's commanding 4-0 triumph over Botswana on Tuesday, marking the conclusion of matchday two in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying rounds.

Other prominent African teams experienced varied outcomes; South Africa secured a dramatic 3-2 victory against South Sudan, while Nigeria was held to a goalless draw in Rwanda.

Jean-Philippe Krasso, who was a late addition to the Ivory Coast squad, initiated the scoring in their 2-0 win over Chad in Yaounde, placing the defending champions three points ahead of Zambia in Group G.

In East Africa, both Kenya and Tanzania celebrated victories, with Kenya defeating Namibia 2-1 and Tanzania narrowly overcoming Guinea 2-1, thus achieving maximum points in their away matches.

Due to travel complications, Botswana arrived in Francistown from Mauritania just seven hours prior to their match against the record seven-time AFCON champions, Egypt, led by Salah.

The home side fell behind early, just four minutes into the match, when a shot from Salah was deflected by goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko, allowing Mahmoud Hassan, known as Trezeguet, to score.

Trezeguet added another goal, giving Egypt a 2-0 lead at halftime, which was extended in the 56th minute when Salah converted a cross that eluded four defenders.

Mostafa Fathy capped off the scoring in added time, ensuring Egypt, the leaders of Group C, secured a perfect six points after their campaign opener, a 3-0 victory over Cape Verde last Friday.

In Rwanda, goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari was instrumental in holding the 2024 AFCON runners-up, Nigeria, to a draw in front of an enthusiastic crowd in Kigali, which included President Paul Kagame.

Ntwari consistently thwarted the Super Eagles, particularly Ademola Lookman, the only African nominee among the 30 candidates for the 2024 Ballon d'Or men's award.

Lookman had previously netted a hat-trick in Atalanta's 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Europa League final held in Dublin this year. However, when he managed to score in Kigali with a header in the first half, the goal was disallowed due to a foul committed by a teammate.

Rwanda currently ranks 92 places lower than Nigeria in the global standings; however, their dedication and vigor were praiseworthy, and the Wasps merited the point earned.

In Group D, Nigeria has accumulated four points, Benin three, Rwanda two, and Libya one. The upcoming matches for Nigeria include both home and away encounters against Libya in October.

Substitute Thalente Mbatha once again became the hero for South Africa, scoring the decisive goal in the 95th minute against the underdogs South Sudan on an artificial surface in Juba.

After the home team only managed a partial clearance of a Teboho Mokoena free-kick, Mbatha struck the ball powerfully past a crowd of players and the Australia-based goalkeeper Majak Mawith, finding the corner of the net.

Following an initial setback due to a penalty converted by Toto Okello, South Africa took a 2-1 lead at halftime, thanks to two goals from Oswin Appollis.

A lapse in defense allowed Valentino Yuel to equalize in the 57th minute, and it appeared that the Bright Stars would secure an unexpected point in Group L until Mbatha's late intervention.

Mbatha made his debut for the national team last Friday, coming off the bench to score five minutes into stoppage time, which helped South Africa achieve a 2-2 draw against Uganda at home.

Uganda currently leads Group K with four points, followed closely by South Africa on goal difference. Congo has three points, while South Sudan remains without any.

A superbly executed free-kick by John Avire propelled Kenya to victory over Namibia in Soweto, placing them at the top of Group J, ahead of the five-time African champions Cameroon based on goals scored.

In Yamoussoukro, Mudathiri Yahya netted in the 88th minute to secure a 2-1 victory for Tanzania against Guinea. The Taifa Stars are positioned second in Group H, trailing the Democratic Republic of Congo by two points.