Morocco, Egypt, and Côte d’Ivoire delivered standout performances as the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 qualifiers kicked off on Friday night, each securing important victories to start their campaigns on a high note.
Reigning champions Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco, and Egypt set the pace, while Senegal and Mali had to settle for draws in their respective matches.
Morocco’s emphatic 4-1 victory over Gabon was highlighted by an eventful first half, featuring no fewer than four penalties. Hakim Ziyech put the Atlas Lions ahead in the 10th minute, calmly converting from the spot after Abde Ezzalzouli was brought down in the box.
Gabon had their own opportunity to level when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang earned a penalty in the 16th minute following a handball, but the Gabonese striker could only watch as his effort struck the post.
Morocco took advantage of Gabon’s missed chance, with Ziyech scoring a second penalty in the 25th minute after Sofiane Rahimi was fouled.
Just before halftime, Aubameyang redeemed himself by converting Gabon’s second penalty, cutting Morocco’s lead to 2-1. However, Morocco dominated the second half, extending their lead with a Brahim Diaz goal in the 59th minute and a late strike from substitute Ayoub Kaabi to seal a comprehensive win.
Egypt also made a strong start, claiming a commanding 3-0 win over Cape Verde. Rami Rabia opened the scoring for the Pharaohs with a powerful header from a corner in the 22nd minute. Cape Verde struggled to find a response, and just before halftime, Mostafa Marmoush capitalized on a breakaway to double Egypt’s advantage.
A third goal came in the 70th minute when substitute Ibrahim Adel pounced on a rebound to seal an assured performance from Egypt, giving them a crucial early advantage in their quest for qualification.
Meanwhile, defending champions Côte d’Ivoire earned a hard-fought 2-0 victory against Zambia, with Jean-Philippe Krasso emerging as the hero. After a goalless first half, Krasso broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute and doubled his tally 11 minutes later to ensure Côte d’Ivoire’s winning start. The result sends a strong message as the Elephants look to retain their Africa Cup of Nations crown.
Elsewhere, Senegal were left frustrated after a stoppage-time equalizer from Burkina Faso saw their opening match end in a 1-1 draw. Sadio Mané had given the Teranga Lions an early lead in the 16th minute, and Senegal appeared to be in control for much of the match. However, a dramatic 95th-minute strike from Ousseni Bouda rescued a point for Burkina Faso in a thrilling contest.
Mali also had to settle for a share of the points after a 1-1 draw against Mozambique. The visitors struck first, with Geny Catamo scoring in the 37th minute to put Mali under pressure. Mali’s captain, Yves Bissouma, responded early in the second half, equalizing in the 52nd minute to salvage a point from an intense encounter.
As the opening round of qualifiers unfolded, Morocco, Egypt, and Côte d’Ivoire established themselves as early frontrunners, while Senegal and Mali will be keen to regroup and push for victories in their upcoming fixtures. The race to secure a place in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is off to an exciting start.
