Egyptian players celebrate after qualifying for the African Cup of Nations.

NOUAKCHOTT, Oct 16: The Egyptian national team secured its spot in the 2025 African Cup of Nations with a 1-0 victory over hosts Mauritania in the fourth round of Group 3 qualifiers.

Egyptian striker Ibrahim Adel scored the decisive goal in the 85th minute, boosting the "Pharaohs" to 12 points, and solidifying their position at the top of the group. Mauritania, meanwhile, remains stuck at three points. In another Group 3 match, Botswana defeated visiting Cape Verde by a single goal.

Meanwhile, Sadio Mané, star of Saudi club Al-Nassr, led the Senegalese national team to a crucial 1-0 win over Malawi in Group 12, securing Senegal's qualification for the African Cup. Senegal now sits in second place with 10 points, behind Burkina Faso on goal difference, while Malawi remains without points at the bottom of the group. Elsewhere, Sudan defeated Ghana 2-0, furthering Ghana's struggles.

In other results, Gabon beat Lesotho 2-0, Zambia edged Chad 1-0, Uganda overcame South Sudan 2-1, the Republic of Congo defeated Tanzania 2-0, Rwanda beat Benin 2-1, Sierra Leone secured a 1-0 win over Ivory Coast, Morocco crushed the Central African Republic 4-0, Guinea thrashed Ethiopia 3-0, while Congo and South Africa tied 1-1. Guinea-Bissau and Mali finished 0-0, and Comoros held Tunisia to a 1-1 draw.

Eight teams have now secured their place in the finals: Morocco (the host), Egypt, Algeria, Cameroon, Senegal, Angola, Burkina Faso, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.