Egypt, Senegal and Algeria qualify for 2017 AFCON.PHOTO/getty images.
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, June 4 – Egypt and Senegal qualified Saturday for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon after 2-0 away victories over Tanzania and Burundi respectively.
Roma striker Mohamed Salah scored during each half for the Egyptian Pharaohs in Dar es Salaam.
The Egyptians are back in the biennial African football showcase after failing to qualify for the last three tournaments having won the previous three.
English Premier League pair Sadio Mane of Southampton and Mame Biram Diouf of Stoke City were the scorers for the Senegalese Teranga Lions.
Senegal are seeking a first Cup of Nations title after coming closest in 2002 when they lost the final against Cameroon after a penalty shootout.
Egypt topped the Group G table with 10 points from a possible 12 — the points they dropped were away to Nigeria in a 1-1 draw.
Nigeria have two points and Tanzania one ahead of a September clash in West Africa to decide who finishes second.
Cash-strapped Chad withdrew halfway through the competition having lost to each of their three rivals.
Senegal are the only country with a perfect record — the Group K victory over Burundi in Bujumbura was the fifth in a row in a section completed by Namibia and Niger.
Salah curled a free-kick round a wall and past goalkeeper Deogratius Munish to put Egypt ahead as half-time approached.
He picked up an Abdallah El Said pass and held off a defender to double the lead midway through the second half.
Mane rounded the Burundi goalkeeper and calmly stroked the ball into the net to give Senegal an early lead.
Diouf scored late in the opening half, firing home from close range after a free-kick was not cleared.
A further 10 qualifiers are scheduled for later Saturday.
