AFCON qualifiers: Stoppage-time goals save Angola against 10-man South Sudan, Algeria edges Togo

File photo: Securing maximum points lifted Angola to seven points, level with record seven-time AFCON champion Egypt on points, but behind on goal difference. | Photo Credit: AP

Angola substitutes Chico Banza, and Miro scored in added time to deliver a 2-0 win over gallant 10-man South Sudan on Saturday in an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.

Defender Geriga Atendele was sent off three minutes into the second half in Talatona near Luanda after head-butting Pedro Bondo, who left the pitch on a stretcher.

For the remainder of regular time, South Sudan defended courageously as Angola attacked incessantly in the Group B matchday three clash.

Angola coach Aliou Cisse, who guided his native Senegal to the 2022 AFCON title, made six substitutions, one more than normally permitted because Bondo suffered a concussion.

His changes finally paid off during 11 minutes of added time as the South Sudanese tired while Junior Sambu, Gilberto and Banza constantly sought openings in a packed defence.

When Banza scored with a close-range shot in the 92nd minute, South Sudan players immediately claimed he was offside.

VAR is not used in AFCON qualifiers, so the goal stood. However, TV replays suggested the goal scored by the striker from Egyptian giants Zamalek should have been disallowed.

There were no doubts about the second goal, though. Brilliant dribbling by Zito Luvumbo from Spanish club Mallorca set up Miro to tap the ball into the net in the 98th minute.

Securing maximum points lifted Angola to seven points, level with record seven-time AFCON champion Egypt on points, but behind on goal difference.

Close call for Algeria

South Sudan remains pointless ahead of the return match against Angola in Juba on Tuesday. The other nation in the mini-league, Malawi, has three points. It fell 0-5 to Egypt on Friday.

Togo was the other underdog to defend bravely, containing Algeria for 75 minutes before Ramy Bensebaini from Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund nodded a goal for a 1-0 win in Tizi Ouzou.

After Togo cleared a corner, the ball was lofted back into the goalmouth, and Bensebaini struck off a far-post header that went across goalkeeper Malcolm Barcola and into the far corner.

Twice African champion Algeria leads Group I with seven points. Shock 2012 winner Zambia has four, Togo three and Burundi two.

Uganda and Botswana drew 1-1 in Kampala, the fourth match of six in Group H, not to produce a winner.

Denmark-based 18-year-old James Bogere gave the Ugandans an early lead that Losika Ratshukudu cancelled before half-time.

Uganda qualifies automatically for the 2027 AFCON, a tournament it is co-hosting with Kenya and Tanzania. That leaves Libya (four points), Botswana (three) and Tunisia (two) fighting for one qualifying place with three rounds remaining.

Sunday is a rest day ahead of six qualifiers on Monday and 18 on Tuesday. The final two matchdays are set for March.