The final round of Group E matches in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers brought contrasting fortunes as Algeria dismantled Liberia 5-1 to end their campaign unbeaten, while Togo claimed a morale-boosting 3-0 win over Equatorial Guinea in Lomé on Sunday.

Algeria’s Dominance

Already assured of first place in Group E, Algeria showed no signs of complacency at the Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium.

The Fennecs, unbeaten in their last 19 AFCON qualifiers, extended their streak with a commanding display that further underscored their dominance.

Liberia stunned the home crowd early with a sixth-minute goal from Sampson Dweh, but Algeria responded swiftly.

Aïssa Mandi equalized in the 20th minute before Riyad Mahrez gave the hosts the lead with a deft header in the 29th minute.

The second half belonged entirely to Algeria, as Baghdad Bounedjah, Amine Gouiri, and Mohammed Amoura all found the net to complete the rout.

Gouiri’s goal—a sublime finish to the bottom left corner—stood out as one of the match’s highlights.

Algeria finished the group stage with 16 points, scoring 16 goals and conceding just two.

Their unbeaten run and defensive solidity further cement their status as one of the favorites heading into Morocco 2025.

Togo Salvages Pride

In Lomé, Togo ended their qualifying campaign with a resounding 3-0 victory over second-placed Equatorial Guinea.

Despite being eliminated from the tournament, the Sparrowhawks showed resilience, snapping a three-game losing streak in AFCON qualifiers.

Yaw Annor opened the scoring in the 14th minute, while Kevin Denkey doubled the lead early in the second half with a stunning long-range strike.

Annor capped off a brilliant individual performance with his second goal in the 87th minute.

For Equatorial Guinea, the defeat had no bearing on their qualification for AFCON 2025, as they had already secured their spot.

However, the loss ended their 10-game unbeaten run in qualifiers, exposing vulnerabilities that may require attention ahead of the tournament.

Group E Final Standings

• 1st: Algeria – 16 points (5 wins, 1 draw)
• 2nd: Equatorial Guinea – 8 points (2 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses)
• 3rd: Togo – 5 points (1 win, 2 draws, 3 losses)
• 4th: Liberia – 4 points (1 win, 1 draw, 4 losses)

With only a few matches left in the qualifiers, 19 teams have secured their places at the highly anticipated Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025, set to be held in Morocco.

Friday’s results on Matchday 5 saw three more nations — securing their places in Africa’s flagship football competition with Zambia, Mali, Zimbabwe and Comoros sealing their slots.

Nigeria, Tunisia, South Africa, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon — clinched their spots, on Thursday joining a growing list of African football powerhouses ready for the tournament.

The confirmed teams represent a blend of regular AFCON contenders and rising forces in African football.

Host nation Morocco automatically qualified, alongside notable teams like Senegal and Algeria, who secured early qualification through consistent performances.

Egypt and title holders Cote d’Ivoire also bring strong legacies to the competition, with both countries boasting numerous AFCON titles.

Several teams have made a comeback to the continental stage.

DR Congo, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea will look to make an impact, while Uganda and Gabon are back with ambitions to advance deep into the tournament.

For South Africa, qualification marks a return to Africa’s biggest football stage after their impressive at the previous competition held in Cote d’Ivoire.

The qualification phase isn’t over yet. Matchday 5 matches continue into Saturday, with Matchday 6 next week set to confirm the remaining teams, rounding off the 24-nation lineup for Morocco 2025.

Anticipation is building as the final slots are contested, with top African teams and emerging challengers vying to be part of the action.

The 19 countries qualified for TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2025
Morocco
Burkina Faso
Cameroon
Algeria
DR Congo
Senegal
Egypt
Angola
Equatorial Guinea
Cote d’Ivoire
Uganda
South Africa
Gabon
Tunisia
Nigeria
Zambia
Mali
Zimbabwe
Comoros

Either former Bendel Insurance goalkeeper, Amas Obasogie or Maduka Okoye, who last kept the goalpost for Nigeria in the 1-0 loss to Tunisia at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 match in Garoua, Cameroon, will man the goalpost for Nigeria in Monday;’s match with Rwanda.

Amas Obasogie was with Bendel Insurance until he moved to Ethiopia to feature for Fasil Ketema FC in Ethiopia.

But the more likely choice could be Okoye who is set to return to the team’s starting line-up.

He is expected to be the first consideration for the goalpost when Nigeria take on Rwanda on Monday night in an Africa Cup of Nations  qualifying match – Nigeria’s last match in the series.

If he mans the goalpost, it will be 1,030 days ( 2 years, 9 months, 26 days) since he last played an international match.

This is the sequel toHead Coach Augustine Eguavoen  excusing the first choice goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali from the Super Eagles’ squad to confront the Amavubi of Rwanda.

“He has been excused from the game. However, the player will come to watch the match and cheer his team mates on,” Team Administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor, told thenff.com.

The player announced via his social media handle on Friday that his father, Godspower Onyekam Abali, Chief Onyeogazrim 1 of Okwuzi, had passed on. The former chief surveyor was 67.