By this time next week, the lineup for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will be complete, with 24 teams set to compete in Morocco. The final two rounds of qualifiers promise to deliver intense, winner-takes-all encounters.
Ghana faces the toughest path among the notable teams at risk of missing out, as the Black Stars must secure maximum points and rely on Sudan to lose both of their remaining matches to book their place.
The top two teams in each of the 12 qualifying groups will advance, with heavyweights like Algeria, Cameroon, DR Congo, Egypt, and Senegal already qualified, along with Angola, Burkina Faso, and the host nation, Morocco.
The Central African Republic stands as the only team still in the running for what would be a first-ever Nations Cup appearance, while Botswana and Rwanda are hoping to make only their second appearances.
In an overview of the qualification landscape, BBC Sport Africa breaks down the various teams’ paths to Africa’s biggest sports event, scheduled to take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
Tunisia’s Nail-Biting Finish
Group A is among the most unpredictable, with all four teams still in contention. Tunisia currently leads with a single-point edge over Comoros, while The Gambia trails by two points, and Madagascar is close behind.
The Carthage Eagles are targeting a record 17th consecutive appearance in the finals and are under interim manager Kais Yaacoubi, who stepped in after veteran coach Faouzi Benzarti’s departure.
Madagascar will face Tunisia on Thursday in a must-win match to keep their hopes alive. On Friday, The Gambia will face Comoros in a high-stakes “home” game in Berkane.
Depending on the outcomes, the final matches — where Tunisia hosts The Gambia and Comoros plays Madagascar — could bring intense tension for fans of all four nations.
Group B’s Clearer Path
Group B appears more straightforward, as Morocco has already secured the top position, leaving Gabon as the frontrunner for the second slot. The Panthers will play Morocco on Friday and can clinch qualification if they match the Central African Republic’s result against Lesotho.
If Gabon falls short, the deciding match between Gabon and CAR on Monday promises to be a thrilling showdown.
Super Eagles on brink as Zebras chase history
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Botswana may face a tough task in their quest for a spot in the Africa Cup of Nations, as they may need to defeat Egypt in Cairo on Tuesday. The Zebras had a heavy 4-0 loss at home against the Pharaohs earlier, adding pressure to their upcoming match. Holding a three-point advantage over Cape Verde and Mauritania, Botswana currently leads the chase for Group C’s final qualification slot.
Botswana will host Mauritania on Friday, while Egypt, resting captain Mohamed Salah, takes on Cape Verde. With head-to-head results potentially factoring in, Tuesday’s clashes—Botswana against Egypt and Mauritania hosting Cape Verde—could determine the group’s outcome. Botswana’s campaign is being led by interim coach Morena Ramoreboli after Didier Gomes da Rosa’s recent departure to manage Libyan club Al Ahli Tripoli.
Nigeria on the Brink of Qualification
In Group D, Nigeria requires only a single point to secure their place, having already been awarded a 3-0 walkover against Libya after a logistical issue left the Libyan team stranded at an airport—a decision currently under appeal. Either Benin or Rwanda is likely to join Nigeria, with Libya close to elimination. For Libya to stay in the running, they must secure wins over both Rwanda and Benin, while hoping Nigeria wins their remaining games against the same opponents. The final day of matches will be crucial unless Benin can secure a victory over Nigeria and Rwanda fails to beat Libya.
Black Stars’ Qualification Hopes Dwindling
In Group E, Togo must win their away game against Liberia on Wednesday to keep their qualification hopes alive for a potential final-day showdown with Equatorial Guinea in Lome on Sunday. Equatorial Guinea, meanwhile, could secure their place with a match to spare if they defeat Algeria on Thursday.
Ghana’s chances in Group F are extremely slim. With only two points from their first four games, the Black Stars are at serious risk of elimination. If Sudan secures a result against Niger in Lome on Thursday, Ghana could be out before they face Angola in Luanda on Friday. Ghana’s final match is against Niger, but their campaign has been further weakened by the withdrawal of several key players, including Alexandre Djiku, Antoine Semenyo, and Inaki Williams, with Thomas Partey not named in the squad by coach Otto Addo.
Kamara back to boost Leone Stars
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Sierra Leonean striker Kei Kamara, now playing for LA FC, has made another return to international football as he looks to help the Leone Stars in their bid to reach the Africa Cup of Nations.
In Group G, the stage is set for a possible final-day showdown between Zambia and Sierra Leone, with defending champions Ivory Coast needing just one more victory to ensure their place in the tournament. Sierra Leone will aim to pull level on points with Zambia if they defeat Chad in Abidjan on Wednesday. The Leone Stars are counting on the experience of 40-year-old Kamara—Major League Soccer’s second-highest all-time scorer—who has come out of retirement to bolster the squad.
Zambia, who play Ivory Coast at home on Friday, could qualify if they avoid defeat in their subsequent away match against Sierra Leone, having the head-to-head advantage from their previous victory over them.
In Group H, Guinea and Tanzania are contending for the last available spot, with Guinea holding a slight two-point lead. Guinea will face DR Congo at home as Tanzania heads to Ethiopia, setting up a potential final-day clash between Guinea and Tanzania. Ethiopia has an outside chance of qualifying but would need to win both remaining matches while hoping that Guinea loses both of theirs.
Cranes chase point
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Uganda, who held South Africa to a 2-2 draw in their September clash, are set to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with Kenya and Tanzania.
In Group I, Mozambique and Mali, tied with eight points each, are vying for the top spot and can secure qualification with a win in their upcoming showdown in Maputo on Friday. Guinea-Bissau, trailing by four points, remain in contention and aim to capitalize on any setback by the leaders. To keep their hopes alive, they need a victory in Eswatini, who have already been eliminated. The group will conclude with Guinea-Bissau facing Mozambique and Mali hosting Eswatini.
Over in Group J, Zimbabwe are favored to join Cameroon in qualifying. They only need to avoid a loss to Kenya in Polokwane on Friday to secure their spot. For Kenya’s Harambee Stars to stay in the race, they must win and then surpass Zimbabwe’s outcome in their respective final matches: Kenya against Namibia and Zimbabwe visiting Cameroon.
In Group K, Uganda requires just one point from their games against South Africa at home and Congo-Brazzaville away to seal their place in the finals, a feat they last achieved in 2019. South Africa, meanwhile, can ensure qualification with a win, and if they stumble in Uganda, they’ll have a second chance against South Sudan at home next week. Congo would need convincing wins in both remaining games to disrupt these standings.
Lastly, Group L has already been settled, with Burkina Faso and Senegal clinching qualification over Burundi and Malawi, with two games remaining.
SOURCE: BBC Africa
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