Benin Republic and Senegal, the defending champions of AFCON, played out a 1-1 draw in Matchday 5 of Group L at Stade De’Lamitie, Cotonou, Benin Republic.
Senegal, the AFCON defending champions, took the lead in the 43rd minute of the first half thanks to Abdoulaye Seck.
Rachid Moumini equalized for the hosts in the 78th minute of the second half, assisted by Junior Olaitan, a Nigerian-born Beninese player.
Stephane Sessegnon, a prominent Beninese footballer, played for only 12 minutes as he substituted Douko Dodo in the 78th minute of the second half.
With this away draw, Senegal solidifies their position at the top of the group with 13 points from five matches.
Mozambique holds the second place in the group with 4 points from four matches, while Rwanda is third with 3 points from three matches.
Benin Republic is currently in the last position with 3 points from five matches.
In Group K, the match between South Africa’s Bafana Bafana and Morocco’s Atlas Lions ended in a 2-1 victory for the home team.
South Africa took an early lead with a goal from Monir El Kajoul in the 5th minute of the first half.
Zakhele Lepasa extended their lead to 2-0 in the 48th minute of the second half, and Hakim Ziyech, the Moroccan international and Chelsea winger, reduced the deficit to 1-2 for his country.
South Africa is at the top of Group K with 7 points from four matches, while Morocco holds the second place with 6 points from three matches.
Liberia occupies the last position in the group with a single point from three matches.
In Group J, Equatorial Guinea defeated Tunisia 1-0, taking the lead in the group with 12 points from five matches.
Emilo Nsue scored the only goal in the 85th minute of the second half, bringing joy to the Equatorial Guinea fans.
Tunisia is in second place in the group with 10 points from five matches.
The AFCON qualifiers for 2023 continue tomorrow, Sunday, June 18, 2023, in various major cities across the continent.