Saturday afternoon presented contrasting fortunes for neighbouring Uganda and Tanzania in their opening matches of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification campaign.While Tanzania’s Taifa Stars stole what could be a precious point in Niger, the Uganda Cranes were left to go back home empty handed as they were outclassed by the Desert Foxes in Algeria.Elsewhere, Liverpool wantaway ace Sadio Mane dazzled for his Senegal side scoring a hattrick to become the country’s all-time top scorer in their history. Here is a wrap of how the Saturday action unfolded.1️⃣9️⃣ goals in 8️⃣ games! An entertaining #TotalEnergiesAFCONQ2023 night! 🌍 pic.twitter.com/T1VkOxsIv6— CAF (@CAF_Online) June 5, 2022 Algeria 2-0 Uganda2019 AFCON champions Algeria started their path to qualification on the right note as they swept aside the East African outfit by recording a 2-0 win in their opening Group F match played at the Olympic Stadium.Having dominated straight from kickoff, the Algerians only got the opening goal in the 28th minute through Aissa Mandi who followed up on a rebound off the crossbar after Ugandan keeper Charles Lukwago was beaten by an Islam Slimani header.📹 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒: 🇩🇿 2-0 🇺🇬A fiery #TotalEnergiesAFCONQ2023 start for Algeria with a win over Uganda in round one. 🦊@LesVerts | @OfficialFUFA pic.twitter.com/DGaqShOagD— CAF (@CAF_Online) June 4, 2022 Uganda were given a way back into the match when they were awarded a penalty just before halftime when Rachid Ghazal’s challenge put down a Ugandan striker but Faruk Miya missed from the spot after goalkeeper Mustapha Zeghba went the right way to keep out the effort.##NAJAVA_MECA_6439709##With ten minutes to go, the impressive Youcef Belaili, dribbled past three players and struck a shot that left no chance for the Ugandan goalkeeper, sealing all three points.
Niger 1-1 TanzaniaDaniel Sosah scored the equalizer as Niger came from a goal down to play to a 1-1 draw with Tanzania in their opening Group F match for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cotonou on Saturday.##NAJAVA_MECA_6438959##The home side had been stunned early on when George Mpole scored inside the first minute to give Taifa Stars a crucial lead. However, the home side managed to salvage a point through Sosah who scored in the 26th minute.📹 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒: 🇳🇪 1-1 🇹🇿A goal for each side in a thrilling first 30 minutes between Niger and Tanzania in round one of the #TotalEnergiesAFCONQ2023 🎯@Tanfootball pic.twitter.com/MRMtm1679V— CAF (@CAF_Online) June 4, 2022 Senegal 3-1 BeninAfrican champions Senegal proved their worth as they seek a return to defend their Africa Cup of Nations title after a well worked 3-1 victory over Benin in their first match of the 2023 qualification.Voted best player at the just concluded Cup of Nations in Cameroon, Sadio Mane was Senegal’s star man as he scored a hat trick, including two penalties to help Senegal to the important victory at home.On the day he becomes Senegal’s men’s all-time leading scorer, Sadio Mané has a hat trick 🎆 pic.twitter.com/pPJLw5BplM— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 4, 2022 Benin pulled one back with four minutes left When Junior Olaïtan found the back of the net. However, it only counted for consolation.The treble in Diamniadio took Mane up to 32 goals for Senegal, moving him clear of Henri Camara as the country’s most prolific player of all time.Additional Reporting by CAF.