Andre Onana, Manchester United’s ace goalkeeper, continues his outstanding clean sheet run with the Cameroon national team in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers.
Andre Onana’s fourth consecutive clean sheet helped Cameroon secure a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Namibia, bringing the Indomitable Lions closer to Morocco 2025.
Meanwhile, both Equatorial Guinea and defending champions Ivory Coast confirmed their spots in the Afcon tournament without even stepping onto the field.
Andre Onana has been nothing short of exceptional in Cameroon’s Afcon qualifiers. On Wednesday, his commanding presence and exceptional reflexes between the posts ensured a scoreless draw against Namibia, despite Cameroon missing key players like Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo and Napoli’s Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa.
With only one goal conceded across five qualifiers, Andre Onana’s performance underscores his role as a pillar of Cameroon’s defense.
Cameroon has already booked its spot in the 2025 Afcon finals, held in Morocco, thanks to two victories over Kenya last month. Now leading Group J with 11 points, the team’s consistency has made them a formidable force in the qualifiers.
Cameroon’s journey isn’t over yet, though, as they prepare for a home game against Zimbabwe on Tuesday, looking to finish on a high note.
Namibia’s Disappointing Campaign Concludes with First Point
While Cameroon celebrated their qualification, Namibia’s campaign has been a letdown. The 0-0 draw on Wednesday may have been a moral victory, but it marks only their first point in an otherwise disappointing run.
Having reached the last 16 in the previous Afcon tournament, Namibia had higher hopes this year but will end their qualifying campaign at the bottom of Group J.
Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast: Qualify Without Playing
Both Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast secured their places in Morocco’s Afcon tournament without stepping onto the pitch. Equatorial Guinea’s spot was confirmed after Togo fell 1-0 to Liberia, thanks to a late penalty by Mohammed Sangare.
This win ensures that Equatorial Guinea, who stunned hosts Ivory Coast with a remarkable 4-0 win in this year’s tournament, will make their third consecutive appearance in Afcon.
Ivory Coast, as defending champions, also secured their qualification from Group G, following a 1-1 draw between Chad and Sierra Leone.
While Ivory Coast has shown resilience throughout the qualifiers, Zambia could clinch the remaining spot in Group G with a win over Ivory Coast in Ndola on Friday. A loss or draw, however, would keep Sierra Leone in contention for the final spot.
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Liberia’s Victory Over Togo Adds New Dimensions to Group E
In Group E, Liberia’s crucial 1-0 victory over Togo, sealed by Mohammed Sangare’s 83rd-minute penalty, has created a significant shift. While Equatorial Guinea already secured their place, Liberia’s win gives them a potential boost in the standings.
Yet, due to the head-to-head rule, even if Liberia matches Equatorial Guinea’s points, the latter remains ahead, having beaten Liberia twice. Equatorial Guinea will now focus on preparing for Morocco 2025, determined to continue their impressive form.
Tension in Group G as Zambia Looks to Secure Spot
In Group G, defending champions Ivory Coast secured qualification, but tension remains as Zambia gears up to face Ivory Coast.
A victory will seal Zambia’s place in the tournament, but a draw or loss could allow Sierra Leone to remain in contention. Wednesday’s 1-1 draw between Chad and Sierra Leone reflected the fierce competition, with Abu Dumbuya and Mahamat Thiam scoring for their respective sides.
For Chad, Thiam’s equalizing penalty goal was their first goal in five group games, showing both the struggles and determination that have characterized their campaign.
Sierra Leone’s hopes now rest on Zambia’s result against Ivory Coast, as they fight for a last-minute opportunity to secure a tournament berth.
Ghana at Risk of Missing Out Due to Sudan’s Strong Form
Ghana, a four-time Afcon champion, faces an uphill battle to qualify for Morocco 2025. With Sudan’s impressive run, they need only avoid defeat against Niger on Thursday to knock Ghana out of contention.
Sudan’s consistency throughout the qualifiers has been remarkable, especially given the challenges posed by the civil war within their country. This high-stakes match could see Ghana, one of Africa’s most prominent footballing nations, miss out on the Afcon finals, a possibility that would come as a shock to many fans and analysts alike.
List of Confirmed Afcon Qualifiers So Far
As matchday 5 unfolds, several teams have already booked their tickets to Morocco 2025. These include some of the continent’s top footballing nations:
- Algeria
- Angola
- Burkina Faso
- Cameroon
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Ivory Coast
- Senegal
These qualifiers demonstrate the immense competition and skill that Africa brings to international football. With several teams already through, fans can expect thrilling performances in the Afcon tournament as these teams battle for continental supremacy.
