10-man South Sudan shocked hosts Congo Brazzaville 2-1 in a Group G match played at the Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat, Brazzaville on Thursday evening.
The youngest African nation took a surprising lead in the 65th minute through Peter Chol but their battle received a dent 17 minutes from time when skipper Peter Manyang was sent off for a second bookable offense.
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And while they kept on battling with a man down, they were to be breached by the hosts in the 90th minute as Thievy Guivane Bifouma Koulossa converted a penalty to restore matters. But the Bright Stars were not done yet as they netted the winner six minutes into added time through former Gor Mahia striker Tito Okello who had come off the bench.
At the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, hosts Ghana scored late to stop Angola 1-0 in a Group E qualifying match. Substitute Antoine Serlom Semenyo who replaced Inaki Williams in the second half scored six minutes into added time. It was Chris Hughton’s debut game as the Ghana national team head coach after being handed the reigns of the team a few days ago.
#TotalEnergiesAFCONQ2023 delivers again 🤩
— CAF (@CAF_Online) March 23, 2023
🇸🇸 Tito Okello with the strike in the 96th minute to win it for South Sudan against Congo 🔝 pic.twitter.com/93UhEf4hc3
In Zambia, former Chelsea FC manager Avram Grant began his stint as the Chipolopolo boss with a convincing 3-1 win over Lesotho. After conceding in the 12th minute, courtesy of a goalkeeping error by Toaster Nsabata, Zambia equalized four minutes later courtesy of a brilliant individual effort by Fashion Sakala. A second-half brace by Lameck Banda ensured Chipolopolo maximum points at home in a stunning 3-1 win.
AFCON Qualifiers Thursday Results
Congo 1-2 South Sudan
Ghana 1-0 Angola
Zambia 3-1 Lesotho
Madagascar 0-3 CAR
Gabon 1-0 Sudan
Algeria 2-1 Niger
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