Other dominant African teams fared less well. South Africa narrowly defeated Nigeria 3-2 in South Sudan, while Nigeria was held scoreless in Rwanda.
After joining the Ivory Coast team after the deadline, Jean-Philippe Krasso scored the first goal as the reigning champions defeated Chad 2-0 in Yaounde to lead Group G by three points from Zambia.
Kenya’s 2-1 victory over Namibia and Tanzania’s 2-1 victory over Guinea meant that East Africa could celebrate earning all possible points from their road games.
Due to transportation issues, Botswana just arrived in Francistown from Mauritania seven hours before their matchup with Egypt, the team that has won the AFCON seven times under Salah’s leadership.
The home team went behind after just four minutes when Mahmoud Hassan, also known as Trezeguet, scored after goalie Goitseone Phoko parried a Salah attempt.
After a half, Trezeguet scored again to give the visitors a 2-0 lead. On minute 56, Salah scored from a cross that eluded four defenders.
Egypt, who began their campaign last Friday with a 3-0 victory over Cape Verde, leads Group C with six points as Mostafa Fathy finished the rout in extra time.
In front of an energetic Kigali audience that included President Paul Kagame, Rwanda defeated 2024 AFCON runners-up, Nigeria, behind the excellent play of goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari.
Ntwari continuously disobeyed the Super Eagles, particularly Ademola Lookman, the only other African player nominated for the 30th Ballon d’Or men’s trophy in 2024.
In this year’s UEFA Europa League final in Dublin, Atalanta defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-0, and Lookman scored a hat-trick.
Supersub MbathaMidway through the first half in Kigali, the Nigerian star headed the ball into the goal, but it was disallowed due to a foul by a teammate.
Despite Rwanda’s 92nd position in the world rankings behind Nigeria, their effort and dedication were praiseworthy, and the Wasps were worthy of the victory.
In Group D, Nigeria has four points, Benin has three, Rwanda has two, and Libya has one. October home and away games against Libya are the Nigerians’ next tasks.
Replace On a synthetic field in Juba, Thalente Mbatha once again made history by scoring the game-winning goal against South Sudan’s minnows in the 95th minute.Teboho Mokoena’s free kick was only half cleared by the home team. Mbatha then blasted the ball past a horde of defenders and Majak Mawith, the goalie from Australia, into the corner of the net.
Toto Okello’s penalty kick put South Africa ahead, but Oswin Appollis’ brace saw them through to halftime ahead 2-1.
Valentino Yuel equalized in minute 57 thanks to careless defending, and the Bright Stars appeared certain to secure an unexpected Group L point until Mbatha scored.
Last Friday, Mbatha made his debut for his country, coming on as a substitute and adding a goal five minutes into extra time to help South Africa steal a 2-2 home draw against Uganda.
With four points, Uganda leads Group K, ahead of South Africa on goal differential. South Sudan has no points, and Congo Brazzaville has three.
Kenya defeated Namibia in Soweto thanks to a masterful free-kick from John Avire, which also gave Kenya the lead in Group J over Cameroon, the five-time African champions, on goal differential.
In the 88th minute, Mudathiri Yahya scored to give Tanzania a 2-1 victory over Guinea in Yamoussoukro. In Group H, the Taifa Stars are two points behind the Democratic Republic of the Congo.