Liverpool star, Mohamed Salah netted a goal as Egypt cruised to a 4-0 victory over Botswana in matchday two of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, qualifying drew to a close on Tuesday.
Mo’Salah who has always scored goals since the commencement of 2025 AFCON qualifiers, did not relent in doing so again in their most recent clash with Botswana.
However, the travel difficulties meant Botswana arrived in Francistown from Mauritania only seven hours before facing record seven-time AFCON title-holders, Egypt, captained by Mo’Salah.
After only four minutes, the home team fell behind when a Salah shot was parried by goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko, and Mahmoud Hassan popularly known as Trezeguet, netted.
Later-on, Trezeguet struck again to give the visitors a 2-0 half-time advantage that was increased on 56 minutes when Salah tapped in a cross that evaded four defenders.
The Group C leaders, Egypt, were given a maximum six points when Mostafa Fathy completed the rout in added time, having launched their campaign last Friday with a 3-0 win over Cape Verde.
Officials of CAF took to their account on X (formerly twitter) celebrating Egypt national team in their post acknowledging their victory as “the perfect #AFCONQ2025 start for the Pharaohs.”
Other African highfliers had mixed fates, with South Africa snatching a last-gasp 3-2 win in South Sudan while Nigeria held 0-0 in Rwanda.
Goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari starred for Rwanda as they held 2024 AFCON runners-up, Nigeria before a vibrant Kigali crowd including President Paul Kagame.
Although Ntwari repeatedly defied the Super Eagles, especially the lone African, Ademola Lookman remains among the 30 nominees for the 2024 Ballon d'Or men's award.
The Super Eagle forward, Lookman claimed a hat-trick when Atalanta defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the UEFA Europa League final in Dublin earlier this year.
When the Nigerian star, Lookman did get the ball in the net in Kigali, from a header midway through the first half, the goal was cancelled because a teammate had committed a foul.
Meanwhile, in the world ranking, Rwanda is 92 places below Nigeria, but their commitment and energy were commendable, and the Wasps deserved the point. Nigeria, represented by the Super Eagles, have four points, Benin three, Rwanda two and Libya one in Group D.
However, Nigeria’s next assignments are home and away fixtures against the Libyans coming up in October.
Meanwhile, East Africa had cause to celebrate, with Kenya beating Namibia 2-1 and Tanzania edging Guinea 2-1 to collect maximum points from away outings.
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