Sadio Mane Secures Senegal’s AFCON 2025 Qualification with Injury-Time Goal

Sadio Mane netted a dramatic injury-time winner to ensure Senegal’s qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), clinching their spot with two matches still to play.

The Teranga Lions were poised for a goalless draw away against Malawi until Mane, now playing for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, found the net in the 96th minute in Lilongwe.

With this victory, Senegal moves to 10 points in Group L, joining Burkina Faso in securing their place at the upcoming tournament in Morocco. This achievement comes despite the recent departure of long-serving coach Aliou Cisse.

In other qualifiers, DR Congo also confirmed their place in the finals, with Meschack Elia scoring twice to lead them to a 2-0 away win in Tanzania. The Leopards, who finished fourth in the 2023 AFCON, have won all four matches in Group H without conceding a goal.

Uganda is now on the verge of qualification after a 2-0 victory over South Sudan, while Angola, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Mali, and South Africa could also advance with wins later on Tuesday.

Cameroon and Algeria secured their spots for the 24-team tournament with victories on Monday. Cameroon triumphed 1-0 against Kenya in neutral Kampala, thanks to a goal from Boris Enow, while Algeria edged Togo 1-0 with an 18th-minute penalty from Remy Bensebaini.

The final two rounds of qualifiers are set for next month, leading up to the 2025 AFCON, which will kick off on December 21, 2025, and conclude with the final on January 18, 2026.