The road to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco has seen two more nations secure their spots in the finals, as defending champions Ivory Coast and surprise package Equatorial Guinea progress without even kicking a ball in the penultimate round of qualifiers.
Ivory Coast’s Passage to Morocco
The Elephants, who triumphed on home soil in the last edition of the tournament earlier this year, have guaranteed a top-two finish in Group G following Sierra Leone’s 1-1 draw with Chad in Abidjan. This result leaves the Ivorians sitting pretty at the top of the group with nine points from four matches, while second-placed Zambia have seven points from the same number of games.
Sierra Leone’s hopes of qualification are all but over, as they find themselves five points adrift of the leaders with just one match remaining. Chad, meanwhile, have been eliminated from contention altogether.
Ivory Coast’s progression to the AFCON finals is a testament to their consistency and quality. They will be looking to defend their title and cement their status as one of Africa’s footballing powerhouses.
– A source close to the Ivorian Football Federation
Equatorial Guinea’s Remarkable Run Continues
In Group E, Equatorial Guinea have also booked their ticket to Morocco, thanks to a 1-0 victory for Liberia over Togo in Monrovia. This result eliminates both Liberia and Togo from the running, ensuring that the Equatoguineans, who were the revelation of the last AFCON finals, will be present at the 2025 edition.
With seven points from their four matches, Equatorial Guinea cannot be overtaken by Liberia, who have four points from five games. Even if the two teams finish level on points, Equatorial Guinea’s superior head-to-head record, having beaten Liberia both home and away last month, guarantees their progression.
Equatorial Guinea’s qualification is a fantastic achievement for a nation that has been making steady progress on the African football scene. They will be eager to build on their impressive showing at the last AFCON and cause a few more upsets in Morocco.
– An African football expert
Cameroon Hold Firm in Johannesburg
Elsewhere, in Group J, Cameroon secured a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Namibia in a match played in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Indomitable Lions, who had already qualified for the finals prior to this fixture, maintained their unbeaten record in the qualifiers, with goalkeeper Andre Onana keeping a clean sheet for the fourth time in five matches.
Namibia, who were already eliminated from contention, came close to snatching a victory when forward Prins Tjiueza struck the upright twice in quick succession midway through the second half. However, Cameroon held firm to claim a point and extend their impressive defensive record in the qualifying campaign.
The organisation of this match was far from ideal, with our players arriving less than 24 hours before kick-off. We also had to make do without Bryan Mbeumo and Carlos Baleba, who didn’t make it in time after playing in the Premier League at the weekend.
– Marc Brys, Cameroon head coach
The Final Stretch
With Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, and Cameroon joining the likes of Algeria, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Morocco, and Senegal in securing qualification, the attention now turns to the final round of qualifiers, where several more nations will be hoping to book their spots in the 2025 AFCON finals.
- Nigeria, currently top of Group A, can secure qualification with a win over Sierra Leone
- Tunisia, who lead Group J, need just a point from their match against Libya to progress
- Mali and Congo are locked in a tight battle at the top of Group G, with both teams vying for the two qualifying spots
As the road to Morocco 2025 nears its conclusion, football fans across the continent will be eagerly anticipating the final round of matches, which promise to deliver plenty of drama, excitement, and nail-biting finishes. With several giants of African football already assured of their places at the finals, the stage is set for another thrilling edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.
