AFCON
Upset-ridden AFCON qualifiers end today
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
The curtain falls on the qualifying series of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations this Tuesday.
The 24 qualifiers will have a 13-month wait for the final tournament. Though not intended, it is enough time for the teams that managed qualification to rebuild for the first ever Africa Cup of Nations to be held in December.
For others, it is enough time to leak wounds as time is believed to be a wonderful healer.
Multiple qualifiers and four-time winners, Ghana Black Stars are not only eliminated, they were humiliated even on home soil, losing to Niger Republic, Sudan and resting in peace at the bottom of the Group F table.
Who would have thought that the mighty Black Stars would play a series of six matches against Angola, Sudan and Niger Republic without winning a single match?
One of Africa’s lead football brands, Tunisia qualified and but they too did not escape the spate of upset results.
They were given a shock treatment by The Gambia who beat Tunisia 1-0 in Tunis on Monday. What a rude shock similar to that of Nigeria stumbling at home to Rwanda on the same Monday evening.
After being upset by eliminated Gambia, Tunisia were leapfrogged by Comoros Island to finish top.
Last MatchDay Matches
Group C
Egypt v Botwana
Mauritania v Cape Verde
Group G
Cote d’Ivoire v Chad
Sierra Leone v Zambia
Group H
DR Congo v Ethiopia
Tanzania v Guinea
Group J
Cameroon v Zimbabwe
Kenya v Namibia
Group K
South Africa v South Sudan
Congo v Uganda
Morocco wrapped up their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign in emphatic style with a 7-0 win over Lesotho, while Gabon edged the Central African Republic (CAR) 1-0 to solidify their second-place finish in Group B.
With both Morocco and Gabon already confirmed for next year’s tournament, the final matchday offered a chance to conclude the group phase with a flourish.
Playing in front of a lively home crowd at the Stade d’Honneur d’Oujda, Morocco extended their perfect record in Group B to six wins from six matches.
The hosts overwhelmed Lesotho with a first-half blitz that saw them net five goals, including a brace from Brahim Díaz. Soufiane Rahimi added to the tally, converting a penalty just before halftime.
The second half saw the Atlas Lions maintain their intensity, with Youssef En-Nesyri and Ismael Saibari scoring to complete the rout.
Morocco ended the campaign with an incredible +24 goal difference, underlining their dominance.
Having conceded just two goals in the entire campaign, Morocco are among the tournament favourites as hosts of AFCON 2025.
Gabon overcame the Central African Republic (CAR) 1-0 at the Orlando Stadium, thanks to a second-half penalty from Guélor Kanga.
The Gabon Panthers endured a nervy encounter, with the CAR pushing for their first win since Matchday 2.
Despite the pressure, Gabon held firm, finishing with 10 points to secure second place in Group B.
The CAR, who had already been eliminated, extended their winless run to five games.
Their lone bright spot in the campaign was a victory over Lesotho earlier this year.
Group B Final Standings:
- Morocco – 18 points (6 wins, 0 draws, 0 losses)
- Gabon – 10 points (3 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses)
- Lesotho – 4 points (1 win, 1 draw, 4 losses)
- Central African Republic – 3 points (1 win, 0 draws, 5 losses)
Comoros leapfrogged Tunisia to finish at the summit of Group A in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Madagascar.
Tunisia, meanwhile, suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat to Gambia in Tunis, failing to maintain their top position.
At the Grand Stade Al-Hoceima, Comoros delivered when it mattered most, defeating Madagascar courtesy of a Yacine Bourhane strike early in the second half.
The hosts showcased their defensive resilience, nullifying Madagascar’s attack and preserving their slender lead.
Despite dominating possession, Comoros found it challenging to break down Madagascar’s compact defensive setup in the first half.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 47th minute when Bourhane capitalized on a corner delivery to tap home from close range.
The win cemented Comoros’ unbeaten record in the group and secured their position at the top with 12 points from six games.
Madagascar, on the other hand, ended their campaign at the bottom of the group, managing just two points.
Their inability to capitalize on goal-scoring opportunities and poor defensive performances have left much to be desired.
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