Burkina Faso became the first team to qualify for the 2025 African Cup of Nations finals, joining hosts Morocco in the 24-team tournament following a 2-0 win in Burundi on Sunday.

A goal from Mohamed Konate and Bertrand Traore’s penalty, took the Burkinabe to 10 points from four games in Group L and ensured they will not finish outside the top two.

Senegal are in second place with seven points from three matches and will also qualify if they win away to Malawi on Tuesday. Burundi have three points from four games and Malawi none from three.

The top two in the 12 qualification pools advance to the finals that will be played from Dec. 21 next year to Jan. 18, 2026, bar Morocco’s Group B where one other team will qualify.

Gabon, Central African Republic and Lesotho are the other teams in that section

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match with Libya may not hold as the Super Eagles’ players have voiced out their decision not to honour the fixture on account of inhuman treatment by Libya.

The players decision is voiced out by the captain, William Troost-Ekong through a reel of statements from his X-handle.

He remarked that the players have resolved not to honour the match irrespective of any action, CAF may wish to take.

“They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without phone connection, food or drink.

“At this point we have called for our Nigerian Government to intervene and rescue us. As the captain together with the team we have decided that we will NOT play this game. CAF should look at the report and what is happening here. Even if they decide to allow…

“Even the Tunisian Pilot who thankfully managed to navigate the last minute change to an airport not fit for our plane to land had never seen something like this before.

“Upon arrival he (the pilot) tried to find a nearby airport to rest with his crew to be denied at every hotel again under Government instruction. He could sleep there but NO NIGERIAN crew members allowed. They have returned to now sleep on the plane which is parked up.”

Furthermore, the Nigeria team were not allowed to enter into any hotels based on the instructions of the Libyan Government, which infuriated Ekong. After consulting the team, the Al-Kholood defender revealed the Super Eagles will not play the game against Libya tomorrow.

Spokesman of the Nigeria Football Federation and head of the organisation’s communication department, Dr. Ademola Olajire has sent  a report of the Super Eagles’ ordeal in Libya where they are held like ‘prisoners of war’.

Twelve hours after they were diverted to the Abraq Airport they are still being held up. There are indications that the hostility may even be heightened if the match is held on Tuesday.

That puts the lives of the players and other Nigerians at grave risk. For years, Libya had not been able to host any international match owing to the disorganisation in the country which is even reflected in their football association as their president, just days ago had to resign.

Olajire wrote about the happenings in Libya. Hear him: “The delegation of Nigeria to Tuesday’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya remained at the Al Abraq Airport 12 hours after landing in Libya.

 “The chartered ValueJet aircraft was, strangely and dangerously, diverted to the small airport away from Benghazi just as the pilot was completing his approach to the Benghazi Airport.

“We understand the Al Abraq International Airport is only used for hajj operations.

“Fatigued players and officials have remained nonplussed as the host Libyan Football Federation failed to send any reception team or even vehicles to take the delegation members from the airport to their hotel, said to be three hours away in Benghazi.

“The NFF made arrangements for separate vehicles for the team but the plan was unhinged by the diversion of the aircraft.

“Players have resolved not to play the match any longer as NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home. Twelve hours of waiting at the Al Abraq Airport have taken their toll on the Nigerian players, who have unanimously resolved not to play the match against Libya

“Citing concerns over player health and well-being, the NFF is working on emergency plans to fly the team back to Nigeria as soon as possible.