Reigning African champions Ivory Coast were among few winners in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) qualifiers on Friday which was headlined by multiple draws, Afrosport reports.
The Elephants defeated 2012 AFCON champions Zambia 2-0 in Group G thanks to a second half brace from Paris FC forward Jean-Philippe Krasso.
The continent’s most successful country, Egypt, were also big winners on the day after recording a 3-0 victory over Cape Verde in Group C while AFCON 2025 hosts Morocco started with a bang as they saw off Gabon 4-1 in Group B, Hakim Ziyech scoring two penalties while Brahim Diaz netted his first senior international goal.
The other win of the day saw 1974 AFCON champions DR Congo defeat Guinea 1-0 in Group H, courtesy of Watford midfielder Edo Kayembe.
The rest of Friday’s results were all draws, starting with Kenya’s goalless Group J encounter with Zimbabwe, likewise the other Group G clash between Sierra Leone and Chad.
South Africa and Uganda played out a 2-2 draw in Group K, Orlando Pirates midfielder Thalente Mbatha netting in the 95th minute to help Bafana Bafana avoid defeat in Johannesburg.
The curtains close on a thrilling day of #AFCONQ2025 action. ⚽🔚 pic.twitter.com/FjrfqCblXw
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) September 6, 2024
There were 1-1 draws between Togo and Liberia, Mali and Mozambique as well as 2021 AFCON champions Senegal and Burkina Faso.
