The stage is set for a dramatic conclusion to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, as five places remain up for grabs.
With 19 countries already confirmed for the finals in Morocco next December, the final round of fixtures on Monday and Tuesday will determine the remaining five teams.
Who’s Already Qualified?
The following nations have already secured their spots in Morocco:
- Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
These teams will now await the results of the final qualifiers to see who joins them in Morocco for what promises to be an exciting tournament.
The Final Battle: Five Groups in Focus
Group C: Botswana vs. Mauritania
Botswana currently holds second place with three points more than Mauritania. However, their 1-1 draw with Mauritania last Friday left the door open for their rivals. Botswana faces a tough away game against already-qualified Egypt, while Mauritania hosts Cape Verde.
What Needs to Happen:
- Botswana qualifies if they secure at least a point in Cairo.
- Mauritania must win and hope Botswana loses to progress based on a superior head-to-head record.
A draw for Botswana would see them qualify for their second-ever AFCON finals, a monumental achievement for the Zebras.
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Group D: Libya’s Last-Minute Hope
This group is wide open, with Libya, Benin, and Rwanda all still in contention for the second spot behind Nigeria. Libya, currently bottom of the group, could leap to the top if they beat Benin 1-0 on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Rwanda must achieve a highly unlikely victory against Nigeria away in Uyo.
What Needs to Happen:
- Libya qualifies with a 1-0 win over Benin.
- Rwanda qualifies if they defeat Nigeria and Benin fails to win.
Libya’s forfeiture of points due to off-field issues last month adds to the intrigue, but they will be hoping for redemption with a strong performance in Tripoli.
Group F: Sudan or Niger?
Sudan needs just one point to seal their spot but suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to Niger last week. They face Angola in a must-draw game, but with the match being played in Benghazi due to Sudan’s ongoing civil war, the pressure is immense.
What Needs to Happen:
- Sudan qualifies with a draw or a win against Angola.
- Niger qualifies if Sudan loses and they beat Ghana in Accra.
Niger’s hopes hinge on an upset against a Ghanaian side eager to avoid finishing bottom of the group.
Group H: Guinea vs. Tanzania
Guinea dramatically boosted their chances with a last-minute winner against DR Congo, putting them two points ahead of Tanzania. A straight shootout awaits in Dar-es-Salaam, where Tanzania must win to secure their place, while Guinea only needs a draw.
What Needs to Happen:
- Guinea qualifies with a draw or win.
- Tanzania qualifies with a home victory.
The match is expected to draw a sell-out crowd, adding to the high-stakes atmosphere as the Taifa Stars aim for a home triumph.
Group I: Mozambique’s Perilous Position
Mozambique’s loss to Mali on Friday has left them vulnerable. Despite being three points ahead of Guinea-Bissau, they face a tough away match against their rivals. A 1-0 win for Guinea-Bissau would eliminate Mozambique due to head-to-head rules.
What Needs to Happen:
- Mozambique qualifies with a draw or win.
- Guinea-Bissau qualifies if they win by a margin greater than 1-0 or achieve the same result Mozambique secured in their last meeting.
This high-pressure encounter in Bissau promises to be a nail-biter as both teams fight for the second spot behind Mali.
What to Watch For
The final AFCON qualifiers offer everything fans could hope for: high stakes, fierce rivalries, and the promise of dramatic twists. As teams push for glory, the spotlight will be on star players and tactical masterstrokes that could make or break their campaigns.
Teams to Watch
- Botswana: Can they overcome Egypt and make history with their second AFCON appearance?
- Libya: From last place to qualification, can Libya pull off the ultimate turnaround?
- Guinea: With momentum on their side, will they hold firm in Tanzania?
- Mozambique: Will they fend off Guinea-Bissau’s challenge and secure their place?
