The CAN 2025 qualifiers ended Tuesday with the final Senegal-Burundi meeting (2-0). If most of the expected teams have obtained their tickets to join the host country of the final phase, Morocco, some regulars have missed out.
The last CAN 2025 qualifying campaign delivered its share of surprises. Among the major absentees, we find in particular 6 teams.
Guinea
While it remained on three consecutive participations, with a qualification in the round of 16 at least, and a quarter-final for the first time in the history of a CAN with 24 teams, during the last 2023 edition (January- February 2024), the Guinea this time missed the mark. Tuesday, when a draw would have been enough for its happiness, the Syli National fell in Tanzania, which stole second place in group H and therefore qualification.
A bitter elimination. Since Michel Dussuyer's gang had moved up the rankings thanks to three successes in a row, the last of which snatched in the 92nd minute in front of the DRC (1-0 on November 16), thanks to the second top scorer of the Serhou Guirassy campaign (6 goals). Who will be one of the big stars absent in Morocco, while he will perhaps be dedicated African Player of the Year next December 16 in Marrakech.
Ghana
An event. This is the first time in 20 years that Ghana will miss the final phase of the CAN. An anomaly. The last non-participation of the Black Stars in the high mass of African football dates back to 2004. Since then, the quadruple African champions had made 10 appearances punctuated by four semi-finals (2008, 2012, 2013, 2017) and two finals (2010, 2015).
It is the logical continuation of a sporting decrepitude that has been going on for several years. During the last qualifying campaign, it took a near miracle, against the backdrop of a disputed arbitrationso that the Ghanaians go through a mouse hole. A poor form confirmed by an elimination in the first round of CAN 2023, as in 2021. Its last place in group F of this elimination campaign is a real symbol of this. Sad for a country with talents like Mohammed Kudus and Thomas Partey…
Mauritania
Sensation of the last CAN to have eliminated Algeria in the first round and signed the first round of 16 in its history in three participations, the Mauritania will watch the tournament from their screens next year. Amir Abou's men no longer had their destiny in hand on the final day. Result, a draw for the Zebras in Egypt (1-1) on Tuesday was enough to permanently eliminate them from the race despite the victory against Cape Verde (1-0). A setback when the Mourabitounes had never missed the CAN since they tasted it in 2019.
Cap-Vert
The Cap-Vert remained on two consecutive participations crowned with a quarter-final last February. Defeated by Mauritania 10 against 11 (1-0) and doubly beaten in October by Botswana to everyone's surprise, the Blue Sharks had to win their final two matches and hope for a poor performance from the Botswanans to qualify. A wasted effort since they dropped crucial points against Egypt (1-1), sealing their elimination on the 5th day.
Guinea-Bissau
She remained on four participations in a row – without ever passing the first round. But the Guinea-Bissau will not be there. The fault lies in its defeat in the “final” against Mozambique at home on the last day (1-2).
Gambia
Finally the Gambiawho caused a sensation at CAN 2021 by reaching the quarters from his first participation at the time, is gradually falling back into anonymity. Eliminated in the first round of CAN 2023, the Scorpions will not even see the final phase this time.
Musa Barrow's teammates left after their defeat against the Comoros (1-2) in the 90th minute of the 5th day. They finished with a victory for honor in Tunisia (1-0), in vain since they fell two points short of the Eagles of Carthage.
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