AFCON qualifiers: Hannover defender scores for Bafana Bafana, Fortuna’s Filimon helps Eritrea to historic point in East African derby | OneFootball

Eritrea earned a point with a 1-1 draw against neighbours Kenya in their first group stage game for African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification since 2008. Fortuna Düsseldorf’s new winger Filimon Gerezgiher played 78 minutes for the Red Sea Camels.

The visitors took a first-half lead before Benni McCarthy’s side found a late equaliser. Eritrea returned to competitive football as this is their first participation in the AFCON qualifiers since 2008. Filimon is yet to feature for the 3. Liga club since joining them from SV Elversberg in the summer.

In the other game from the group, South Africa defeated Serhou Guirassy’s Guinea. Hannover's center-back Ime Okon scored the first goal in the 2-1 win for Bafana Bafana. The 1996 AFCON winners hired the legendary coach Pitso Mosimane for the third time after the World Cup.

South Africa will face Eritrea in Egypt on matchday 2, while BVB striker Guirassy will hope to open his account when Guinea host Kenya the following day. 

Meanwhile, Okon’s Hannover teammate Benjamin Källman scored his first goal of the season when Finland beat San Marino in the UEFA Nations League fixture. Former Hamburg and Bayer Leverkusen striker Joel Pohjanpalo was the “Man of the Match” as he completed his hat-trick in a 7-0 victory for the visitors.