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regular-article-logo Friday, 19 April 2024

Africa Cup: Nigeria lose but stay on course for finals

Nigeria remain on course to qualify for the finals in Ivory Coast next January

Reuters Abuja Published 26.03.23, 05:53 AM
Mohamed Salah.

Mohamed Salah. File photo

Mama Balde of Guinea-Bissau scored the only goal as they stunned Nigeria with a 1-0 win in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Abuja, while Morocco became the first team to book their place in the finals on Friday without kicking a ball.

Balde’s first-half goal was decisive against a Nigeria team packed with in-form attackers, including Serie A leading scorer Victor Osimhen, as Guinea-Bissau moved top of Group A with seven points from three games.

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Nigeria remain on course to qualify for the finals in Ivory Coast next January with six points from three matches but the defeat is their fourth in a row under Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro.

Salah, Mane strike

Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush scored first-half goals as Egypt beat Malawi 2-0, and Sadio Mane was on target on his return for Senegal in a 5-1 thumping of Mozambique.

Ivory Coast’s Sebastien Haller was on target as they defeated Comoros Islands 3-1, while Democratic Republic of Congo beat Mauritania by the same scoreline.

South Africa let a two-goal lead slip at home to Liberia and had to settle for a 2-2 draw in Johannesburg, a result that ensures World Cup semi-finalists Morocco will finish in the top two places in the three-team group and qualify for the finals.

Cameroon were held 1-1 at home by Namibia.

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