The press release on Tuesday by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) may have lifted a burden off Nigeria as the match with Libya is considered postponed rather than the Super Eagles refusing to play.

The continental body remarked that the matter would be referred to the competent CAF bodies.

DR Congo, Uganda and Senegal secured their spots at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco after important wins in their qualifying matches on Tuesday.

Tanzania 0-2 DR Congo: Meschack Elia brace seals victory

DR Congo continued their perfect run in Group H with a commanding 2-0 win over Tanzania at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium that helped them seal their place at the AFCON in Morocco.

After a goalless first half, Meschack Elia broke the deadlock in the 87th minute with a composed finish following Nathanaël Mbuku’s assist.

Elia doubled the lead in the 93rd minute, securing all three points for the Leopards, who now sit at the top of the group with 12 points, having won all four of their matches.

The victory means the Leopards have secured their place at the tournament in Morocco as they are guaranteed one of the two slots from the group.

Tanzania remains second with four points but faces a tough challenge to qualify with Guinea and Ethiopia trailing closely behind.

Malawi 0-1 Senegal: Mane’s late winner

Senegal left it late to secure a 1-0 victory over Malawi, courtesy of a stoppage-time free-kick from Sadio Mane that helped them to grab a ticket to the tournament to be played in Morocco.

The game looked set to end in a stalemate until Mane’s 96th-minute strike gave the Teranga Lions all three points, moving them level with Burkina Faso at the top of Group L, both on 10 points.

The result of the match means both Senegal and Burkina Faso cannot be overtaken by their group opponents. 

Malawi remains winless in the group and sits bottom with no points after four matches.

Sudan 2-0 Ghana: Abdelrahman and Al Tash sink Black Stars

Sudan breathed new life into their AFCON qualification campaign with a 2-0 win over Ghana in Group F.

Ahmed Al Tash put Sudan ahead in the 62nd minute, with Mohamed Abdelrahman doubling the lead in the 65th minute.

The win moves Sudan to second place in the group with 7 points, while Ghana’s qualification hopes are in jeopardy as they sit in third place with 2 points.

South Sudan 1-2 Uganda: Own goal hands Uganda the win

Uganda edged South Sudan 2-1 in Group K, with an own goal from Alfred Leku proving decisive.

Denis Omedi gave the Cranes an early lead in the 15th minute, only for Yohanna Juma to equalize for South Sudan in the 21st minute with a stunning strike.

Uganda capitalized on a defensive mix-up in the 66th minute, with Leku’s own goal giving the Cranes their third win of the campaign.

Uganda now tops the group with 10 points, while South Sudan remains bottom with 0 points from four games.

Chad 0-1 Zambia: Musonda strikes as Zambia Marches On

Zambia secured a crucial 1-0 win over Chad in Group G, with Kennedy Musonda scoring the game’s only goal in the 70th minute.

Despite a penalty save from Toaster Nsabata in the 85th minute to deny Chad a late equalizer, Chipolopolo held firm to clinch all three points. 

Zambia now sits second in the group with seven points, while Chad remains winless and at the bottom of the table with two points.

Lesotho 0-2 Gabon: Babicka and Effaghe on Target

Gabon moved up to second in Group B after a 2-0 win over Lesotho.

Shavy Babicka opened the scoring in the 55th minute before Rody Effaghe sealed the victory in the 84th minute with a close-range finish. 

The win moves the Panthers to 7 points, while Lesotho remains at the bottom of the group with just one point from four games.

-CAF

The President of Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Musa Gusau on Tuesday expressed deep appreciation of the NFF and the Nigeria Football family for the warm words of encouragement from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following the Super Eagles’ return from a better-forgotten Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match adventure in Libya.

On Monday, the Nigerian President put out a statement warmly welcoming the team back home, and asking for prompt justice from the Confederation of African Football following the inhumane treatment of the Nigerian contingent.

The president also commended the proactive coordination between the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Ministry of Sports Development in addressing the unfortunate episode and ensuring the safe return of the players.

“We hereby express our deep and sincerest appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his warm and kind words of encouragement.

“These words have gone a long way to reassure the players of the firm support of the Government and people of Nigeria for what they do and the efforts and sacrifices they make in representing this great country.

“The commitment and love for the team by the Government and the entire nation was aptly demonstrated by the physical presence of the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh at the airport to welcome the team back to Nigeria.

“Mr. President as the father of the nation, has once again demonstrated his concern and keen interest in the beautiful game of football that unites our peoples from all walks of life and across all known mental, physical, spiritual, political and economic boundaries, and which fosters national unity and friendship among peoples and nations of the universe.”