Mali signed off their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign in emphatic fashion with a 4-0 thrashing of South Sudan on Friday.

Ibrahima Kone opened the scoring after just 10 minutes before Kalifa Doumbia netted twice to put the game beyond doubt. Nouhoum Diani added a late fourth as Mali ended Group G with a flourish after losing to Gambia last time out.

The heavy victory sees the Eagles finish qualifying as the second-highest scorers with 13 goals. Elsewhere, Burkina Faso were held to a tame 0-0 draw at home by Eswatini. The Stallions missed the chance to take control of Group B ahead of their final qualifier against the Cape Verde Islands on Sunday.

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And in Group D, Egypt edged out Ethiopia 1-0 thanks to Mostafa Fathi’s first-half strike in Katameya. The narrow win concludes Egypt’s qualifying campaign on a high note as they turn focus to the tournament itself next year.

After already sealing qualification, the Pharaohs rested several key players ahead of a gruelling schedule. But they still had enough to condemn Ethiopia to defeat, with the two sides set to meet again soon in the 2026 World Cup qualifying.