Senegal secures AFCON spot and joins Morocco and Algeria

Boulaye Dia scored for the second consecutive game running for Senegal as the defending champions secured their spot in next year’s Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for Cote d’Ivoire after a 1-0 victory away at Mozambique.

Senegal got their second consecutive victory over Mozambique when they travelled to the country on Tuesday for the second leg and fourth fixture in their qualification series.

The first leg was a 5-1 success in Dhaka, and the Teranaga Lions knew that a win would secure their place at the next AFCON. Senegal dominated and showed their credentials as African champions in both fixtures, securing twelve points from four games.

Even though they still have two more games in the group against Benin Republic and Rwanda, those games are now mere formalities for the west Africans. Benin Republic hopes to redeem and reignite their qualification chances when they travel to Rwanda on Wednesday. The Cheetahs were held to a 1-1 draw by Rwanda at home last week.

Meanwhile, other countries have also secured their place at next year’s AFCON, with South Africa securing a 2-0 win over Liberia; the result sees Africa’s best performer at the last World Cup in Qatar the previous year Morocco, through to the tournament.

Algeria beat Niger Republic by a single goal to nil on Monday, and that also secured their qualification, having won their previous three matches.

Meanwhile, countries like South Africa and Nigeria must win their next games or secure three points from their remaining two matches to secure qualification.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria could have secured qualification had they not lost to Guinea-Bissau in Abuja. Nevertheless, the 2013 Champions redeemed their image with a 1-0 win on Monday thanks to a Moses Simon penalty.

Their next two games include an away trip to Sierra Leone and a home tie to Sao Tome and Principe, whom they beat 10-0 in the first leg.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu