The penultimate day of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers delivered high drama and unexpected results as Benin and Sudan booked their places in next year’s tournament in Morocco. Meanwhile, continental heavyweights Ghana, Nigeria, and Tunisia suffered surprising defeats that highlighted the unpredictable nature of African football. Here’s a detailed roundup of Monday’s action.
Benin Qualify with a Crucial Draw in Tripoli
Benin navigated a tense Group D finale with a 0-0 draw against Libya in Tripoli to secure their spot in the AFCON finals. In a three-way battle for second place alongside Libya and Rwanda, the Cheetahs advanced on head-to-head advantage over Rwanda.
Despite the pressure, Benin remained resolute in defense, holding off Libya’s late attempts to claim a victory that would have put the Mediterranean Knights through. The result marks Benin’s return to AFCON after missing out on the last edition. Their strong defensive display throughout the qualifiers proved decisive in the end.
QUALIFIED. ✅
Benin are #AFCON2025 bound! pic.twitter.com/WGDQlOcfoC
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) November 18, 2024
Rwanda Stun Nigeria with Dramatic Win
Rwanda pulled off one of the biggest surprises of the qualifiers with a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in Uyo. The Amavubi came from behind to score twice in three minutes late in the game, with goals from Jimmy Mutsinzi and Innocent Nsuthi, a semi-professional player based in the United States.
Nigeria, already qualified and fielding a rotated squad under caretaker coach Austin Eguavoen, took the lead but failed to capitalize on their chances. The shocking loss is likely to accelerate Nigeria’s search for a permanent foreign coach, with Eguavoen being their third manager this year.
For Rwanda, the victory was bittersweet. Despite their heroics, Benin’s draw in Tripoli meant they were edged out on head-to-head records and failed to secure what would have been their second AFCON appearance since 2004.
Sudan Secure Qualification Despite Struggles
Sudan endured a rocky path to qualification but ultimately secured their spot with a 0-0 draw against Angola in Benghazi. After being thrashed 4-0 by Niger last week, Sudan needed just one point from their final two games to qualify behind Angola in Group F.
QUALIFIED. ✅
Sudan will be going to #AFCON2025! pic.twitter.com/eALo9NFzBI
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) November 18, 2024
The draw was enough for Sudan to confirm their return to the AFCON stage, though their recent form has raised concerns about their readiness for the competition. Key injuries and inconsistent performances have plagued coach James Kwesi Appiah’s side, who will need significant improvement ahead of the tournament.
Ghana’s Nightmare Continues with Loss to Niger
Ghana’s disastrous qualifying campaign ended in misery as they fell to a shocking 2-1 defeat to Niger in Accra. Already eliminated after a horror run that broke their streak of 10 consecutive AFCON appearances, the Black Stars were condemned to last place in Group F.
Niger took the lead through Ousseni Badamassi in the first half before debutant Jeremia Afriyie equalized for Ghana. However, a stoppage-time header from Oumar Sako sealed the win for Niger, and Ghana’s misery was compounded when Mohammed Kudus missed a penalty in the dying moments.
READ NEXT:
- Guinea One Step Away from AFCON 2025 After Thrilling Win Over DR Congo
- Michael Olunga Among Key Absentees for Kenya’s Final AFCON Qualifier
- AFCON 2025 Qualifier: Mozambique Eyes Victory Against Guinea-Bissau to Seal Spot
Tunisia Stunned at Home by Gambia
In Group A, Tunisia, already qualified for AFCON 2025, suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Gambia. Abdoulie Ceesay’s 17th-minute goal handed Gambia the win, knocking Tunisia off the top spot in the group. Tunisia’s struggles on home soil were evident, with the defeat coming after an earlier shock loss to Comoros.
The Comoros Islands capitalized on Tunisia’s stumble, climbing to first place with a 1-0 win over Madagascar. The tiny island nation has continued to impress in recent years, building on their breakout performance at AFCON 2021.
Morocco’s Perfect Campaign
Hosts Morocco concluded their qualifying campaign in dominant fashion, demolishing Lesotho 7-0. Brahim Diaz starred with a hat-trick, as Morocco maintained a 100% record in Group B. The Atlas Lions scored 26 goals and conceded just two in six matches, sending a strong message to the rest of the continent ahead of the tournament.
What’s Next?
With 21 teams now confirmed for the AFCON finals, the remaining three spots will be decided on Tuesday, November 19. A total of 13 matches are scheduled, though only four carry qualification significance. Teams like Malawi, the Central African Republic, and Burkina Faso will be among those looking to secure their places in the tournament.
Only 3️⃣ spots left. #AFCONQ2025 pic.twitter.com/mbVgKVH942
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) November 18, 2024
AFCON Drama at Its Best
Monday’s matches showcased the drama, unpredictability, and excitement that define African football. Benin and Sudan’s qualification was hard-fought, while Ghana’s and Nigeria’s shock defeats highlighted the fierce competition in the continent’s premier tournament.
As the final spots are determined, fans can look forward to an exciting AFCON 2025 in Morocco, where established giants and rising underdogs will battle for continental supremacy. 
