Four-time Africa Cup of Nations winners Ghana could see their streak of 10 successive appearances at the tournament come to an end this week as victories in their remaining two qualifiers may not be enough to seal a place at the finals in Morocco.

Only Egypt (26) and Cote d’Ivoire (25) have been to more Cup of Nations finals than the Black Stars (24) but Ghana are likely to be out of contention by Thursday after a woeful qualifying campaign.

The top two finishers in each of the 12 groups advance to next year’s finals. Ghana are third in Group F with two points from four matches, with Angola already qualified and Sudan needing just a draw from two games to join them.

Angola have a 100% record with four straight wins while Sudan are on seven points and face bottom-placed Niger in neutral Togo on Thursday. Sudan also have the upper hand on Ghana on a head-to-head basis.

Ghana must beat Angola in Luanda and Niger at home and hope Sudan lose both their matches if they are to qualify. The future of coach Otto Addo could be on the line if Ghana miss out.

Angola, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, hosts Morocco and Senegal have already booked their spots at the 24-team tournament, which runs from Dec. 21, 2025 until Jan. 18, 2026.

Holders Cote d’Ivoire start their final pair of Group G fixtures at Zambia on Friday needing a point to qualify.

Nigeria, who were awarded the points from last month’s aborted tie in Libya where they refused to play after being stuck in a remote airport for half a day before the match, can secure their place with a win over Benin in neutral Abidjan.

Tunisia fired coach Faouzi Benzarti after a shock home loss to the tiny Comoros Islands last month but are still top of Group A as they attempt to secure a record-extending 17th successive appearance at the finals.

Caretaker coach Kais Yaacoubi will lead the team to face Madagascar in neutral South Africa on Thursday where a win would all but ensure they go to the finals once again.

Madagascar are among 18 countries unable to host home qualifiers after the Confederation of African Football ruled their facilities inadequate for internationals.

-Reuters

The Cheetahs of Benin Republic are already gathering in Abidjan, their adopted home as they confront the Super Eagles on the same ground where they had their famous 2-1 win in World Cup qualifiers last June.

The last international break of the year 2024 opens this Monday, November 11. To begin preparations for the matches of the 5th and 6th days of the CAN 2025 qualifiers, the Cheetahs are already joining Gernot Rohr and his gang in Abidjan

According to Roméo Aklozo, a Benin Republic football commentator, out of the 25 players called up by Gernot Rohr, about 10 were already in Abidjan since Sunday. Eight were expected as of Monday.

The expected are Steve Mounié, Jodel Dossou, Marcel Dandjinou, Andreas Hountondji, Tamimou Ouorou, David Kiki, Sessi d’Almeida and Olivier Verdon.

Remo Stars manager, Daniel Ogunmodede, has weighed in on the main reason why Super Eagles interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen, invited some Super Eagles players.

Super Eagles are gearing up for the AFCON 2025 final qualifying matches against the Republic of Benin and Rwanda but the invitation of players has seen the return of some players back to fold while some are having a taste of the national team for the first time.

In an interview with NFF TV, Ogunmodede who is one of the two assistant coaches attached to Austin Eguavoen said that the invitation of the players is in the best interest of the nation going by the injuries of some of the regulars.

Ogunmodede noted that Sadiq Umar, who was an unused striker by Real Sociedad on Sunday in the lone goal win against leaders, FC Barcelona, had previously been sidelined due to injury, has now returned to the team.

“(Umar) Sadiq has been in the team for a while. He was also out due to injury. Now he’s back, and maybe Collins because the head coach felt we needed the left-footed centre-back, and presently, in the league, we have a Collins who has, to a reasonable extent, proved his worth.” he pointed out.

Elaborating on Collins’ selection, he explained the importance of being a left-footed centre-back in the squad.

According to the tactician, the head coach’s thorough scouting of the local league helped identify Collins as a key player, as his performances have stood out in the Nigerian Premier Football League.

“This is to show that the head coach is doing a massive job. He has gone around the country to watch the league, and in Victor Collins, he has this utmost belief. I’ve only watched him two, three times in the league and possibly he is the strongest left-footed centre-back presently we have in the Nigerian Premier Football League.” he added.

The former KAA Gent defender recalled Gabriel Osho, who could not make his debut against Nigeria against Ghana and Mali due to injury worries.

Ogunmodede said that the reasons for the inclusion of AJ Auxerre defender as being the perfect replacement for West Brom defender, Semi Ajayi, who has been sidelined due to injury.

“We believe each player is capable and qualified to represent Nigeria. Most are familiar faces, though Gabriel Osho is a new addition due to Semi Ajayi’s recent surgery,” he said.

The Super Eagles will tackle Benin on Thursday at the Stade Félix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, then welcome Rwanda to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on the 18th of November.