Equatorial Guinea have secured their place in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) without having to kick a ball, thanks to Togo’s defeat in their penultimate Group E qualifier on Wednesday. With Togo’s loss, Equatorial Guinea are assured of finishing in the top two in Group E, meaning they will join the continental elite at next year’s tournament, regardless of their results in the final two matches.
Known as the National Thunder, Equatorial Guinea will next face Algeria on Thursday at 13:00 GMT in Malabo Stadium. Algeria have already qualified for AFCON, so while both teams have their sights set on a strong performance, they’ll approach the game without the pressure of securing a qualifying spot.
The fixture also marks a notable rivalry, as the two teams have split wins in their previous meetings. The last time they met, Algeria emerged victorious with a 2-0 win in September, but with home advantage and the morale boost of early qualification, Equatorial Guinea are poised to make a statement this time around.
Equatorial Guinea becomes the ninth team to secure qualification for the 2025 AFCON, joining an impressive lineup of nations ready to compete for Africa’s most prestigious football trophy. Fans in Malabo will gather in full force, ready to celebrate their team’s success as they look forward to another chance to shine on the continental stage.
The match will be played at the Malabo Stadium, located in the city of Malabo, Equatorial Guinea at 13:00 GMT. Canal Sport and Bein Sport 1 will telecast the match live. The Algerian channel DZ6 could also broadcast the match.
