Liverpool wantaway ace Sadio Mane was once again the man to look up to for country as he handed Senegal the match winning goal against Rwanda to ensure the Lions of Teranga, who are the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) defending champions, kept intact their 100% start to the 2023 qualifiers after two games.With the very last kick of the game, the attacker stepped up and, just like he did against Egypt in the 2021 finale to win Senegal their first ever AFCON title, converted the penalty to condemn Rwanda who were playing their home match at Abdoulaye-Wade Stadium in Diamniadio, Senegal.📹 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒: 🇷🇼 0-1 🇸🇳With a last-minute goal against Rwanda, Senegal top our 12th group via a Sadio Mane strike 💯#TotalEnergiesAFCONQ2023 | @FERWAFA | @Fsfofficielle pic.twitter.com/0PoBU3ENqx— CAF (@CAF_Online) June 7, 2022 The Wasps had agreed to play its home match at their opponent’s stadium and it nearly paid off as they held on for a very long time just until Mane struck in the dying minutes.The penalty had been awarded after Saliou Ciss was brought down in the area and Mane converted in the 90+8th minute to give the defending African champions six out of six points and put them at the top of their qualifying pool in Group L.
Elsewhere, Zambia produced an inspired performance at home to register their first win of the qualifiers as they came from behind to beat Comoros 2-1 at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.After falling behind just after thirteen minutes, the Chipolopolo needed a last-gasp goal to overcome the stubborn visitors to get their campaign back on track.Comoros had taken a 13th minute lead as El Fardou Ben Mohammed put the ball past goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata who had failed to comfortably secure the ball.##NAJAVA_MECA_6444495##After being frustrated on a couple of occasions, the home side finally got the equalizer on the stroke of halftime in delightful fashion as captain Enock Mwepu controlled the ball with his chest following a rebound from a corner before slotting past Comoros shot stopper Ali Ahamada.Zambia were not to be denied a first competitive victory under Croatian trainer Aljoša Asanović’ as substitute Kings Kangwa got the match winner two minutes from time after dispatching a stunning long range free-kick outside the box which beat Ahamada.📹 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒: 🇿🇲 2-1 🇰🇲Zambia beat Comoros to secure their first three points in Group H of the #TotalEnergiesAFCONQ2023 @FAZFootball | @fedcomfootball pic.twitter.com/hrTHzvxkTP— CAF (@CAF_Online) June 7, 2022 In Group B, Togo were left winless after two games as Cape Verde defeated them 2-0 courtesy of goals from Julio Tavares and Jamiro Monteiro.Burkina Faso picked a second straight win after a comfortable 1-3 away victory against Eswatini who drew with Togo in their opening qualifier. The home time were the first to take the lead in the 64th minute through Sabelo Ndzinisa but Dango Outtara’s six minute brace in the 69th and 75th minute turned the game on its head before Stephane Aziz Ki sealed the win with a third goal five minutes from time.