South Sudan, Lesotho, eSwatini advance to 2023 AFCON group stage qualifiers

By David Ochieng Mbewa

Four teams booked their places in the group stage of qualifying for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after avoiding defeat in their respective second leg matches on Sunday.

Peter Chol’s second half strike earned South Sudan a 1-0 win against Djibouti in Kampala to seal a comfortable 5-2 aggregate win.

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations will be held in Côte d’Ivoire between June and July. /CFP

Eswatini followed up their 3-0 first leg win against Somalia in Dar es Salaam with a 2-1 victory for a 5-1 aggregate win.

Katleho Makateng scored twice and Sera Motebang added another goal as Lesotho made home advantage count by beating Seychelles 3-1 after the first leg had ended goalless.

Elsewhere, Ricardo Cardoso netted a brace as Sao Tome e Principe played out an entertaining 3-3 draw away to Mauritius and advanced 4-3 on aggregate after winning the first leg 1-0.

One more match from the preliminary qualifying round remains to be played between Gambia and Chad. Gambia, who will host the second leg, will take a 1-0 lead into the game on Tuesday.

(Story compiled with assistance from wire reports)