Wins for Egypt and Mali, Burkina Faso held

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Sep 08, 2023. 23:32

Friday’s action in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers saw wins for Egypt and Mali, while Burkina Faso were held 0-0.

In the early kick-off in Cairo, already-qualified Egypt wrapped up their campaign with a 1-0 win over Ethiopia, securing top spot in Group D ahead of fellow qualifiers Guinea (who will be away to Malawi on Saturday) thanks to a first-half strike from Mostafa Fathi.

In a late kick-off in Marrakesh, already-qualified Burkina Faso were held 0-0 at ‘home’ by Eswatini. The Burkinabe could be leapfrogged at the top of Group B by fellow qualifiers Cape Verde, who will be away to Togo on Sunday.

Finally, already-qualified Mali made it five wins from six in Group G with a 4-0 thumping of wooden spooners South Sudan in Bamako.

Ibrahima Kone, Kamory Doumbia (two) and Nene Dorgeles shared the goals at the Stade du 26 Mars as the Eagles moved clear in top spot.

They will be joined in qualification from Group G by either Gambia or Congo, who meet in a crunch match on Sunday in Marrakesh.

The AFCON qualifiers will continue on a busy Saturday, which will see no less than eight matches played across the continent, headlined by Mozambique v Benin in Group L and the two clashes from Group I: DR Congo v Sudan and Mauritania v Gabon.

AFCON qualifiers results, Friday 8 September

Egypt 1-0 Ethiopia

Burkina Faso 0-0 Eswatini

Mali 4-0 South Sudan