AFCON 2023 (Q): Egypt and Mali finish top, Burkina Faso held

The final round of qualifying for the AFCON 2023 began on Thursday 7 September, with Ghana and Tanzania securing their tickets to Côte d’Ivoire. There was little suspense across the three games on the schedule. By kick-off, everything was already settled for the teams in action on Friday.

Egypt-Ethiopia (1-0)

Already qualified and sure to finish top of Group D, the Pharaohs of Egypt ended on a high with a win over Ethiopia (1-0). Only 37 minutes were needed, and Mohamed Salah’s absence was barely felt thanks to stand-in Mostafa Fathy, who scored the only goal of the game. It was enough for the 2021 AFCON finalists to end qualifying with 15 points, ahead of Guinea (9 points), Ethiopia (4 points) and Malawi (4 points).

Read more on this topic: AFCON 2023 (Q): results and full schedule for matchday 6

 

Mali-South Sudan (4-0)

With fifteen goals scored in these 2023 AFCON qualifiers, Mali do not do things by halves. The young, impressive Malian side thrashed South Sudan. Almeria’s new signing Ibrahima Koné opened the scoring (10th) before Kamory Doumbia added two (29th, 57th). Heavily outplayed, the South Sudanese sank further after a late goal from Nene Dorgeles (82nd). Eric Chelle’s men therefore finish qualifying top of Group D with 15 points, ahead of Gambia (9 points), Congo (6 points) and South Sudan (3 points).

Burkina Faso-Botswana (0-0)

With the chance to finish top of Group B, the Stallions were disappointing, in fact, in conceding a draw against Eswatini (0-0). Despite dominating heavily, with 18 shots and plenty of possession (67%), Burkina Faso (1st, 11 points) were wasteful in the final third. The result could benefit Cape Verde (2nd, 10 points), who face Togo (3rd, 5 points). For Eswatini (4th, 3 points), the point is of little consequence given their winless campaign.