Football: Senegal qualifies for AFCON 2025 with Last-Minute win against Malawi
On Tuesday afternoon in Lilongwe, Malawi, Senegal’s Lions secured a 1-0 victory against the Flames during the 4th matchday of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. This last-minute win guarantees Senegal’s qualification for the next AFCON, scheduled to take place in Morocco.
The hero of the day was none other than star forward Sadio Mané. In the 96th minute, he freed his team by scoring the only goal of the match with a stunning free kick, securing a crucial qualification for his side.
Despite dominating throughout the game, the Lions faced a highly organized Malawian defense, which remained compact and tightly knit. The Flames, sitting deep with a low defensive block, managed to fend off numerous Senegalese attacks, making it a challenging task for the 2022 African champions.
The players under interim coach Pape Thiaw, who temporarily took over the team following the end of Aliou Cissé’s contract, pushed forward relentlessly in the first half but were unable to break the deadlock. It wasn’t until the very end of the match that Senegal finally found a way through, securing their spot in the upcoming AFCON.
With this victory, the Lions join Burkina Faso, who have already qualified from their group.
