This month of November marks the end of the qualifications for the AFCON 2025 which will take place in Morocco from December 21 to January 18. While we already know 8 of the 24 qualified, there are still 16 tickets to be validated.
They are already qualified:
The first country to qualify as a host country, Morocco is preparing for its competition and was able to compete in Group B of the qualifiers. With 4 wins in 4 matches, the Atlas Lions would have still validated their ticket and are showing excellent form with notably large 5-0 and 4-0 victories against the Central African Republic or a 4-1 against Gabon. The second country to have joined the Moroccans is Burkina Faso. The Stallions dominated Group L in the same way as Senegal, which is also qualified. With 10 points, they have distanced Burundi and Malawi and are respectively offering themselves a 14th and 18th participation. It also happened for Algeria in Group E. With 12 points, the Fennecs impressed with 4 victories full of control against Equatorial Guinea, Togo and Liberia.
Another African giant that will be part of the adventure, Cameroon has done the job. Three victories and a draw against Zimbabwe which allow the Indomitable Lions to easily qualify without a hitch for the 22nd time in their history. With only 8 absences from the AFCON in its history, Egypt could not miss this 2025 edition. The Pharaohs have logically ensured their presence with 4 victories against Botswana, Cape Verde and Mauritania and will be serious candidates for the title. Sensation of the AFCON 2023 thanks to its quarter-final, Angola will still try to play the spoilsport. The Palancas Negras flew over their difficult group with 4 victories, which included Sudan, Ghana and Niger. Finally, the eighth ticket goes to the Democratic Republic of Congo, which never doubted against Guinea, Tanzania and Ethiopia.
They are off to a good start:
For some teams, qualification is not yet assured, but it seems close. This is the case of Gabon in Group B. With a four-point lead over the Central African Republic, which they will face on the sixth day, the Gabonese can settle for a draw against Geoffrey Kondogbia’s team to qualify. A precious advantage that could nevertheless be reduced on the 5th day with the reception of Morocco, while the Central African Republic will go to Lesotho. Equatorial Guinea is also in a very favorable position in Group E with a 5-point lead over Togo and 6 over Liberia. These last two face each other while Nzalang Nacional will host Algeria. If the next day is not enough, Equatorial Guinea will travel to Togo and a draw will be enough. Second surprise of group F after having held (0-0) and beaten Ghana (2-0), Sudan is in a strong position. With 5 points ahead of the Black Stars, the Sudanese only need one point against Angola or Niger to validate their ticket.
In group G, Ivory Coast is in the lead with 5 points ahead of Sierra Leone who is third. The title holder therefore only needs one point against Zambia or Chad to qualify and be ready to defend its title. In group I, two nations are in a very favorable ballot, Mozambique and Mali. With 8 points, or four lengths ahead of Guinea-Bissau, the two teams facing each other on Friday will see the winner of their confrontation qualify directly. Mali has the advantage of facing Eswatini on the last day when Mozambique travels to Guinea-Bissau. Finally, Group L should see Uganda and South Africa qualify. The former only needs one point against South Africa or Congo. For the semi-finalists of the CAN 2023, they will have this match in Uganda to negotiate before hosting South Sudan on the last day. A victory in one of the two matches will be enough.
They will have to fight:
In Group A, we have the right to a three-way fight between Tunisia (1st, 7 points), Comoros (2nd, 6 points) and Gambia (3rd, 5 points). Everything remains very open, including a Gambia – Comoros match on the next day that will be worth a lot. Tunisia can make things easier for themselves this Thursday if they win against Madagascar. In Group D too, the fight will be three-way. Nigeria (1st, 7 points) is in the lead ahead of Benin (2nd, 6 points) and Rwanda (3rd, 5 points). The Rwandans who face Nigeria for a final on the 6th day will be attentive to the duel this Thursday between Benin and Nigeria.
Second in Group G behind Ivory Coast, Zambia only needs a draw on the last day against Sierra Leone to qualify. Facing the Elephants just before, the Chipolopolos can even make things easier for themselves. Having come back from afar, Guinea must transform the shot. After two initial defeats, Sily National was able to count on a great Serhou Guirassy to raise its head. With a two-point lead over Tanzania, whom they face on the last day, the Guineans will first have to cross swords with the DR Congo, who have already qualified. Finally, Zimbabwe is holding the rope in Group J. Having to face Cameroon in the next match, Tino Kadewere’s teammates will end their campaign against Kenya, who are three points behind. A match that could serve as a final for both teams.
They are in danger:
Very tight and competitive, Group A sees two teams in danger with Gambia and Madagascar. If the Gambians are only two points behind Tunisia and Comoros, whom they face, and thus keep their destiny in hand, for the Barea it looks complicated. Located four points behind Comoros, who are second, Madagascar will have to make a clean sweep while hoping for favorable results. In Group C, Botswana can hope to make a big splash and is three points ahead of Cape Verde and Mauritania. Respectively quarter-finalists and eighth-finalists of the last AFCON, these two teams are in great difficulty and will face each other on the last day in a high-tension match. At least, if Botswana does not qualify before by beating Mauritania this Friday.
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Participating in the 2006 World Cup, Togo is far from the Emmanuel Adebayor era. Absent from the last three editions, the Hawks are five points behind Equatorial Guinea and will have to win the last two matches while hoping for an Algerian victory against Nzalang Nacional to achieve the feat. An African giant that has won the AFCON 4 times, Ghana is expected to miss the 2025 edition, a first since the 2004 edition in Tunisia. With 2 points in 4 matches, the Black Stars will have to win their two matches while hoping that Sudan loses its two games. Finally, Namibia, which impressed at the last AFCON by eliminating Tunisia to reach the round of 16, is already eliminated with 0 points in 4 days.
