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Jean-Philippe Krasso was the surprise hero as defending Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions Ivory Coast began their title defense with a 2-0 victory over Zambia in Bouake on Friday. Initially left out of the original squad for the Group G opener, Krasso was called up as a replacement for star striker Sebastien Haller and came off the bench to score twice in the second half.
Haller, who was unavailable due to his transfer from Borussia Dortmund to Leganes, had scored the decisive goal in Ivory Coast’s 2-1 win over Nigeria in the 2024 AFCON final.
In other AFCON qualifiers, Morocco, automatic qualifiers as 2025 hosts, secured a 4-1 victory over visiting Gabon in Group B, with Hakim Ziyech converting two penalties. Record seven-time champions Egypt also impressed with a 3-0 win against Cape Verde in Cairo, with Eintracht Frankfurt’s Omar Marmoush among the scorers.
Burkina Faso stunned 2022 AFCON champions Senegal by equalizing in the 95th minute to secure a 1-1 draw in Group L, despite Sadio Mane giving Senegal an early lead.
Meanwhile, South Africa salvaged a 2-2 draw against Uganda in Group K thanks to an added-time goal from debutant Thalente Mbatha. Lyle Foster had given South Africa an early lead, but Uganda responded with two quick goals in the second half.
South Africa coach Hugo Broos acknowledged his team’s lack of sharpness and warned that their upcoming match against South Sudan would be challenging.
In Group H, the Democratic Republic of Congo earned a 1-0 victory over Guinea, thanks to a superb goal from Edo Kayembe. Kenya and Zimbabwe, both returning to AFCON after being barred from the previous tournament, played out a goalless draw in Group J.
On Saturday, former champions Cameroon and Nigeria will be among six nations concluding matchday one fixtures, with a 24-fixture matchday two schedule set to begin on Sunday.
