AFCON
Crunch time as Super Eagles, others jostle for 17 Côte d’Ivoire 2023 tickets
It’s crunch time and +225 is calling. So far only six teams, have picked the call and earned themselves tickets to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) joining hosts Côte d’Ivoire for the platinum African football extravaganza next January.
There are 17 more tickets up for grabs with one round of games to be played this international window this week. CAFOnline looks at the groups and the permutations of qualification.
Group A:
There is a three-way battle for two tickets from this group; Nigeria sits top with nine points, Guinea Bissau second with seven while Sierra Leone have five. Bottom placed Sao Tome & Principe have one point and are out of contention.
Leaders Nigeria play away to Sierra Leone, a side they labored to beat 2-1 on match day one and just a draw will guarantee them of a place in the tournament next year.
Sierra Leone are in a must win situation to keep their hopes alive and will look to make the most of their home ground advantage.
Guinea Bissau will be away to Sao Tome in the other match, and the Djurtus will be angling for maximum points which will give them an edge of qualification especially if Sierra Leone drop points. A win takes them to eight points, and if the Leone Stars lose to Nigeria, there will be a three-point difference.
However, the two sides face off in the last match of the group.
Group B
Burkina Faso, with 10 points in four matches have already secured their place in Côte d’Ivoire and will be playing the final two matches just to ensure a strong finish.
The battle for the only remaining slot from the group has now been left to Cape Verde, eSwatini and Togo. Cape Verde are on seven points, while the latter are on two each, with a slim chance of battling for second spot.
Cape Verde face off with leaders Burkina Faso at home and need just a single point to qualify for the final tournament.
eSwatini and Togo face play against each other in the other match of the group, and either of the two’s hopes are pegged on winning their last two remaining matches and hope Cape Verde lose both of their final group matches.
Group C
Namibia leads the three-team group with five points, with Cameroon second placed with four while Burundi are third with one with all having chances of qualification.
The Southern Africans travel to play Burundi in their final match of the qualifiers and a point in this duel will be enough to earn them qualification. A win takes Namibia to eight points while a draw takes them to six, both results sailing them through.
Burundi are on a single point and are also in a must win situation to keep their hopes alive. A win puts them on four points, making for a massive showdown against Cameroon in the final round of qualifiers in September.
Cameroon will be uninvolved in this window.
Group D:
The group is still open, but can be wound up this week. Egypt, losing finalists from Cameroon 2021 lead with nine points, same as Guinea, but with a better goal aggregate.
Malawi and Ethiopia are third and fourth respectively, with three points each.
This week, Guinea and Egypt clash in a top of the table duel in Morocco and a point in the encounter will be enough to assure both teams of a place in qualification. A win for either guarantees them top spot.
Ethiopia hosts Malawi in the other fixture of the group, with the two having an outside chance of qualification. A win for either will take them to six points, and gives them a shot at qualification on the final day as they face either of the two top teams.
A draw in this match though will mean that none stand a chance of qualification heading to the last match day.
Group E:
In this group, Ghana, the Central Africa Republic and Angola all stand a chance of qualification with Madagascar already eliminated. Ghana leads the group with eight points, CAR second with seven while Angola have five at third.
Angola travel away to second placed CAR while Ghana will be away to Madagascar in Antananarivo.
Ghana and CAR will both qualify for the tournament with victories in this round.
Angola are in a must win situation against the Central Africans, but a draw will also buy them hope into the last day of the group.
Group F:
Algeria have already qualified to the Cup of Nations from this group, with a perfect record of four wins in four matches. The battle for the remaining slot is now down to East African neighbors Tanzania and Uganda as well as Niger.
Second placed Tanzania with four points host Niger at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam and a win will take them closer to Côte d’Ivoire. Niger, who are on two points bottom of the group are in a must win situation, while a draw will also bid them hope.
In Douala, Cameroon, Uganda will be hosting two-time champions Algeria. The Cranes who are on four points must win the match against Les Fennecs to retain hope. A win takes them to seven points and if Tanzania drop points against Niger, the Ssebos will only need a point in their last match to qualify, if they win in Douala on Sunday.
Group G:
This group is also widely open. Mali leads with nine points and will only need a draw when they play away to second placed Congo in Brazzaville to qualify.
The Congolese are on six points, same as third placed Gambia, but separated by goal difference. Three points will be vital for their qualification as it will firm up their hold on second spot.
Gambia will be away to bottom side South Sudan who are on three points. The Gambians, under the tutelage of Tom Saintfiet will enhance their chances with three points on the road.
South Sudan must win their home duel to keep hope alive, heading into the final round of qualification. A draw will still give them a minimal chance, depending on how Mali plays with Congo in the top of the table clash.
Group H:
As hosts, Côte d’Ivoire are already qualified for the tournament and the fight for the lone available ticket in this group is down to second placed Zambia and the Comoros. Bottom side Lesotho with one point are already eliminated.
Zambia are on nine points and only need one point when they host Cameroon to confirm their place in the tournament.
Third placed Comoros who have three points play Lesotho away from home and must win to keep their hopes alive. Their fate is however tied to the result between Zambia and Côte d’Ivoire.
Group I:
Three points separate the top and bottom sides in this group, with all four having a qualification chance. Gabon are top with seven points, Sudan second with six, Mauritania third with five and DR Congo bottom with four.
Leaders Gabon host DR Congo in Franceville, and will qualify for the tournament with victory. DR Congo, with fate out of their hands, are in a must win situation to keep their chances afloat.
Sudan hosts Mauritania in the other group match and a win will be crucial as it will either help them qualify or keep their chances high, depending on the result from the other match. Mauritania can clutch on qualification hope if they can beat the Falcons of Jediane, this taking them to eight points.
Group J:
Tunisia with 10 points have already secured qualification from this group and might be joined by Equatorial Guinea who are on nine. The two sides face off in a top of the table clash in Malabo and the Equatoguineans need just a single point to qualify.
Third placed Libya who are on three points play away to already eliminated Botswana in Francistown. Fate is out of their hands and will need to win on the road and hope Equatorial Guinea suffer defeat for them to remain hopeful heading into the final day.
Group K:
The three-team group is already wrapped up with Morocco and South Africa assured of qualification, the Atlas Lions being on six points and South Africa on four. Liberia with a single point are out of the equation.
This matchday, South Africa face off with Morocco in Johannesburg, in a battle of supremacy to decide who finishes top of the group. A win for South Africa will move them top pending the last match day between Morocco and Liberia.
The Moroccans will however be assured of finishing top with just a draw from the duel.
Group L:
Reigning champions Senegal have already sealed their place to defend the crown with a 100 per cent record of four wins in four matches. Mozambique who are second on four points, Rwanda third with three and Benin bottom with two are jostling for the remaining ticket from the group.
Benin host Senegal in Cotonou, needing three points by all means to assure themselves of qualification. A win will take them to five points.
Rwanda host Mozambique in Huye and a win will sail them to six points and topple the latter to second place, putting them at a good position of qualification.
-Cafonline
The drama surrounding the Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal has taken a fresh twist, with new revelations suggesting the controversy extended far beyond what unfolded on the pitch.
While Senegal emerged victorious in the tense encounter, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is yet to officially validate the result, as Morocco continues to challenge the circumstances of the match.
Reports emerging from Spanish publication Diario AS now paint a picture of a final marred by disputes, strategic decisions, and chaotic scenes.
Pre-Match Tensions and Alleged Defiance
According to sources cited in the report, the Senegalese delegation may have ignored several logistical recommendations issued by organisers ahead of the final in Rabat.
Officials had reportedly advised teams to avoid certain transport routes due to crowd control concerns. However, Senegal is said to have opted for alternative arrangements, a move some insiders interpret as a calculated risk that later shaped the narrative of poor organisation.
Concerns also emerged over accommodation. Senegal had objected to being housed at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, Morocco’s technical centre, raising fears of possible surveillance.
Yet, the same facility had hosted other teams, including Cameroon, without incident and had even received positive reviews during the tournament.
Chaos in the Closing Moments
The tension reached a boiling point deep into stoppage time. In the 97th minute, a controversial penalty decision triggered scenes of confusion and protest.
Most of the Senegalese players reportedly walked off the pitch in protest, leaving only a handful, including star forward Sadio Mané, and some officials behind.
In an unusual twist, some players are said to have gone live on social media from the dressing room as the match hung in limbo.
The interruption, which lasted around 30 minutes, has since become a focal point of the controversy.
Reports suggest that during the break, match officials may have been instructed to avoid issuing yellow cards to Senegalese players upon their return, in an effort to prevent further escalation and possible dismissals.
CAF Caught in the Middle
CAF has since condemned what it described as “unacceptable behaviour” from both teams, acknowledging that the final fell short of expected standards.
Morocco, while admitting certain lapses—such as the conduct of ball boys toward Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy—has rejected any portrayal of Senegal as the sole victim in the saga.
Instead, the dispute has now shifted beyond the pitch, evolving into a broader battle involving legal arguments, administrative review, and international public opinion.
A Title Still in Limbo
Despite Senegal’s triumph on the field, uncertainty lingers over the official status of the result. The delay in validation underscores the seriousness of the issues raised and the complexity of resolving them.
For African football, the episode raises troubling questions about match organisation, officiating integrity, and team conduct at the highest level of the game.
As CAF deliberates, what should have been a celebration of continental football excellence has instead become a case study in controversy—one that may yet redefine how such disputes are handled in the future.
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The controversy surrounding the January 18 final of the Africa Cup of Nations in Rabat has taken a dramatic new turn, following revelations by French newspaper Le Monde, which has obtained and reviewed five official match reports that sharply contradict decisions taken by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Nearly three months after the ill-fated final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, the winner of the tournament remains uncertain, with the case now before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
CAF’s Appeal Committee stripped Senegal of the title, while the latter has headed to CAS
A Night of Chaos in Rabat
What was meant to be a showpiece finale between Senegal and hosts Morocco descended into confusion amid torrential rain and rising tension. Senegal initially secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory, denying Morocco a second continental title, fifty years after their first triumph.
However, the match was marred by extraordinary scenes late in regulation time. With Morocco awarded a contentious penalty in the dying minutes, Senegalese players and officials protested vehemently and eventually walking off the pitch in defiance. The interruption lasted approximately 14 minutes before play resumed.
Morocco missed the penalty, and Senegal went on to clinch victory in extra time through Pape Gueye. What appeared to be a historic triumph for the Lions of Teranga soon spiralled into a legal and administrative crisis.
Morocco’s Protest and CAF’s Reversal
In the aftermath, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation filed two formal appeals to CAF, arguing that Senegal’s temporary withdrawal constituted abandonment of the match—an offence punishable by forfeiture under CAF regulations.
On March 17, CAF’s Appeals Committee upheld Morocco’s argument, ruling that Senegal had forfeited the match. In a stunning and unprecedented decision, the committee awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory, effectively overturning the on-field result.
Senegal’s football authorities swiftly rejected the ruling and escalated the matter to CAS, insisting that the decision violated both sporting integrity and due process.
Le Monde Investigation Raises Alarming Questions
The investigation by Le Monde has now cast serious doubt on the handling of the final by CAF and its officials.
Drawing on five official reports, including those of the referee, match commissioner, and security officials, the newspaper describes a match “spiralling out of control,” with regulations allegedly ignored in favour of avoiding public embarrassment.
The most critical moment, according to the reports, occurred in the 97th minute. Officials, including Tunisia’s Khaled Lemkecher and Egypt’s Ahmed Osman, reportedly confirmed that Senegal “abandoned the match” by retreating to the dressing room, a clear violation that should have triggered immediate forfeiture.
Yet, despite this, the match was allowed to continue.
Even more controversially, the report alleges that behind-the-scenes “instructions” were issued to the referee not to send off Senegalese players who had already been cautioned when play resumed. The aim, it is claimed, was to prevent a potential scandal during the live broadcast of the final.
CAF Under Scrutiny
These revelations have exposed deep contradictions within CAF’s handling of the incident. While the Appeals Committee eventually ruled in Morocco’s favour based on the abandonment argument, the decision to allow the match to continue on the night—and to validate Senegal’s eventual victory before reversing it weeks later—raises questions about procedural consistency and governance.
Observers say the situation highlights a troubling pattern of “ad-hoc” decision-making, where written regulations appear secondary to immediate reputational concerns.
CAS Decision Looms
The case now rests with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, whose ruling could have far-reaching implications for African football governance.
If CAS adheres strictly to the evidence contained in the official reports cited by Le Monde, there is a strong possibility that Morocco could be definitively awarded the title. Conversely, Senegal will argue that the match’s continuation effectively nullified any claim of abandonment, making CAF’s later reversal legally untenable.
A Crisis of Credibility
Beyond determining the rightful winner, the controversy has plunged African football into a broader credibility crisis. The AFCON final, traditionally a celebration of the continent’s footballing excellence, has instead become a case study in administrative confusion, conflicting interpretations, and institutional fragility.
At stake is not just a trophy, but the integrity of competition governance on the continent. As the football world awaits CAS’s verdict, one lesson is already clear: when rules are bent in the heat of the moment, the consequences can linger long after the final whistle.
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The Confederation of African Football has announced a major overhaul of its flagship competition, with the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) set to expand from 24 to 28 teams.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe disclosed the decision on Sunday following an executive committee meeting, describing it as part of the body’s commitment to elevating African football to global standards.
Motsepe said the expansion would create more opportunities for countries across the continent while ensuring that top African players worldwide return home to compete at the highest level.
“This is about our commitment to world-class football, bringing together the best African players from across the globe to compete on the continent,” he stated.
However, the CAF boss did not provide details on how the new 28-team format would be structured or when the expansion would take effect, leaving questions over qualification pathways and tournament scheduling.
Continuity for 2027, New Cycle from 2028
Motsepe confirmed that the 2027 AFCON will proceed as planned with co-hosts Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, maintaining the current 24-team format for that edition.
In a significant shift, CAF also announced that another AFCON tournament will be staged in 2028, after which the competition will move to a four-year cycle—aligning more closely with other major international tournaments.
CAF Nations League Introduced
In addition to AFCON reforms, CAF revealed plans to introduce an African Nations League starting from 2029. The new competition will be held annually, with a 16-team final tournament staged every two years.
The initiative is aimed at improving the competitiveness, structure and commercial value of the African national team football.
“We have to stop this situation where African fixtures are not predictable, consistent and reliable,” Motsepe said. “We must also focus on developing football in regions like East Africa, which has enormous potential.”
A New Era for African Football
The proposed changes mark one of the most ambitious restructurings of African football competitions in recent years, with CAF seeking to expand participation, enhance organisation and create a more predictable football calendar.
While details are still emerging, the decisions are expected to have far-reaching implications for national teams, qualification formats and the overall growth of the game across the continent.
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