Liberia and Eswatini seized control of their respective TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations preliminary ties with convincing away victories on Wednesday as journey to AFCON 2025 begun.
Liberia’s national team, the Lone Stars, showcased their prowess as they secured a commanding 2-0 win over Djibouti in Marrakech.
The match saw Liberia’s captain, Murphy Dorley, making a significant impact by contributing to one of the first-half goals alongside Mohammed Sangare. Sangare broke the deadlock with a penalty on the 23rd minute mark, before Dorley calmly slotted home a cross from Sebastian Teclar, extending their lead 12 minutes later.
Despite Djibouti’s efforts, the Lone Stars proved to be formidable opponents, denying their hosts any chances of a comeback and clinching two vital away goals.
Eswatini chase Somalia
Meanwhile, Eswatini delivered a spectacular performance in El Jadida, Morocco, overpowering Somalia with an impressive 3-0 victory. Sabelo Ndzinisa emerged as the hero for Eswatini, scoring two crucial goals while Felicio Figuareido added another in the 40th minute.
Despite Somalia’s efforts to rally, they were unable to break through Eswatini’s defense, leaving them with a daunting task ahead of the return leg in Nelspruit, South Africa.
With these commanding wins, both Liberia and Eswatini have gained significant advantages as they aim to secure a spot in the group stage of the tournament, ultimately setting their sights on the prestigious finals in Morocco next year.
The victories underscore the determination and skill of these teams as they navigate through the preliminary rounds, each striving to leave their mark on the road to African football glory.
As the second legs approach, all eyes will be on Liberia and Eswatini as they look to maintain their momentum and secure their places in the next phase of the competition.
PHOTO: CAF Online
