Algeria completed the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying phase with a dominant performance, crushing Liberia 5-1 in their final Group E match. This victory capped off an unbeaten campaign for Algeria, who were already guaranteed first place in the group before the match at the Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium. The Liberians briefly threatened an upset by scoring in the sixth minute through Sampson Dweh, silencing the home fans with an early goal. However, Algeria responded with composure and skill, equalizing in the 20th minute through Aïssa Mandi. Riyad Mahrez gave Algeria the lead before halftime, heading home in the 29th minute. The second half saw Algeria take complete control, with Baghdad Bounedjah, Amine Gouiri, and Mohammed Amoura all adding to the scoreline, highlighting Algeria's attacking prowess and sealing a comprehensive win. Gouiri's strike, a beautiful finish to the bottom left corner, was a standout moment. Algeria ended the qualifiers at the top of Group E, scoring 16 goals while conceding only two, a clear testament to their dominance and defensive discipline.
In a separate Group E fixture, Togo earned a convincing 3-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea in Lomé, although it did not change their fate in the tournament. Having already been eliminated, Togo played for pride and managed to break a three-game losing streak in AFCON qualifiers. Yaw Annor was the standout performer for Togo, scoring twice, including the opening goal in the 14th minute. The second goal came from Kevin Denkey, whose powerful long-range shot found the net early in the second half, extending Togo's lead. Annor sealed the game with his second goal in the 87th minute, completing a strong display from the home team. Despite the loss, Equatorial Guinea had already secured their qualification for the AFCON finals. The match highlighted some vulnerabilities in their defense that they might need to address ahead of the tournament, as the defeat also ended their impressive 10-match unbeaten run in AFCON qualifiers.
The final standings in Group E reflected Algeria’s clear superiority, as they finished with 16 points from five wins and one draw. Equatorial Guinea secured second place with 8 points, winning two matches, drawing two, and losing two, enough to guarantee them a spot in the AFCON finals despite the final loss. Togo, with their solitary victory against Equatorial Guinea, ended in third place with 5 points, while Liberia trailed in fourth with 4 points, having secured only one win and a single draw throughout the qualifying phase. Algeria’s unbeaten streak of 19 AFCON qualifiers solidifies their reputation as a formidable team and positions them as one of the strong favorites heading into the 2025 tournament in Morocco. Togo, despite missing out on the tournament, ended their campaign on a high note, showcasing resilience in their last match and giving their fans a reason to cheer. Equatorial Guinea will look to regroup after their setback, as they prepare to face stronger opposition in the AFCON finals.
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