An injury-time winner from Sadio Mane secured Senegal’s qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) while Angola, DR Congo and Egypt have also reached the finals with two rounds of matches to spare.
The Teranga Lions were heading for a goalless draw away against Malawi before former Liverpool forward Mane, who now plays for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, struck in the 96th minute in Lilongwe.
Senegal move on to 10 points in Group L alongside Burkina Faso and have joined their fellow West Africans in booking a place at the 2025 Nations Cup in Morocco.
The 2021 Afcon winners progressed despite parting company with long-serving coach Aliou Cisse earlier this month.
There were surprises elsewhere on Tuesday as reigning continental champions Ivory Coast fell to a shock 1-0 loss away against Sierra Leone while Ghana are on the brink of elimination after defeat by Sudan.
The Black Stars remain third in Group F with just two points from four games, and qualification is now out of their hands.
The West Africans must now win their remaining games against Angola and Niger next month and hope that Sudan, who have seven points, lose both of theirs.
The final two rounds of qualifiers will be held next month while the 2025 Nations Cup is scheduled to begin on 21 December next year, with the final on 18 January 2026.
