The road to the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco took a dramatic turn as Benin and Sudan punched their tickets to the tournament, while continental powerhouses Ghana, Nigeria, and Tunisia stumbled in stunning fashion during the penultimate round of qualifiers.
Benin and Sudan Secure Qualification
Benin found themselves in a three-way battle for second place in Group D, alongside Libya and Rwanda. A goalless draw against Libya in Tripoli proved enough for Benin, who edged out Rwanda on head-to-head record to secure their spot in the AFCON finals.
Meanwhile, Sudan had their work cut out for them, requiring just a single point from their final two Group F matches. After suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat to Niger, the Sudanese regrouped and held Angola to a draw in neutral Benghazi, booking their place in Morocco.
Shock Defeats for African Giants
The qualifying campaign took a stunning turn as several of Africa’s traditional soccer powers fell to unexpected home defeats. Ghana, already eliminated after a disastrous run, slumped to last place in Group F following a 2-1 loss to Niger in Accra.
Niger forward Oumar Sako headed home the winner deep into stoppage time, compounding Ghana’s misery as Mohammed Kudus missed a penalty in a match that marked the end of the Black Stars’ streak of 10 consecutive AFCON appearances.
A source close to the Ghanaian team
Nigeria, under the guidance of caretaker coach Austin Eguavoen, their third manager this year, also tasted defeat on home soil. Rwanda staged a remarkable comeback in Uyo, scoring twice in three minutes through Jimmy Mutsinzi and US-based semi-pro Innocent Nsuthi to claim a 2-1 victory. The result is likely to accelerate Nigeria’s plans to appoint a foreign coach.
Tunisia, having already qualified, were stunned by Gambia in Tunis as Abdoulie Ceesay’s 17th-minute goal proved decisive. The Carthage Eagles had previously suffered a home loss to Comoros, who leapfrogged them to claim top spot in Group A with a 1-0 win over Madagascar.
Morocco Dominant, Final Spots Up for Grabs
AFCON 2025 hosts Morocco, participating in the qualifiers, concluded their Group B campaign with a flawless record, hammering Lesotho 7-0 as Brahim Díaz netted a hat-trick. The Atlas Lions won all six matches, scoring an impressive 26 goals and conceding just twice.
With the final round of qualifiers set for Tuesday, three spots remain up for grabs. Of the 13 matches scheduled, only four hold significance in determining the last of the 24 teams who will compete for continental glory in Morocco.
As the dust settles on a day of shocks and surprises, the stage is set for a thrilling Africa Cup of Nations in 2025. Will the newcomers rise to the occasion, or will the established order reassert itself? Only time will tell as Africa’s finest prepare to do battle in the quest for the continent’s most coveted soccer prize.