We now know the 24 countries which will compete in the next African Cup of Nations (CAN) which will take place in Morocco from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026. The 6th and final day of the qualifiers which took place from November 17 to 19 resulted in Sudan, Benin, Mozambique, Tanzania and Botswana qualifying.
In Group D, it was Benin which narrowly passed Rwanda, thanks to its draw against Libya (0-0), while Rwanda created a surprise by winning in Nigeria, already qualified, with a score of 2-1. The two countries finish the qualifiers with 8 points each. The direct confrontations benefited Benin which will accompany Nigeria.
At Group F level, Niger thought it would create a surprise by beating Ghana in the dying seconds (2-1), but Moroccan Badou Zaki’s team did not have their destiny in hand. The goalless draw between Sudan and Angola (0-0) offered the second qualifying place in Group F to the Nile Crocodiles.
As for Group H, it is Tanzania, winner at home against Guinea (1-0) who will accompany the DRC, leader of the group. Guinea will not go to Morocco because of a chaotic start to the competition. They needed a draw to qualify for the final phase of CAN 2025.
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As for Group I, Mozambique, winner of Guinea-Bissau with a score of 2 goals to 1, qualified by occupying 2nd place in the group behind Mali. With a three-point lead, Mozambique could qualify with a draw.
Finally, at the level of group C, the distance duel between Botswana and Mauritania turned to the benefit of Botswana which accompanies Egypt, leader of the group.
The 24 qualified teams: Morocco (host country), Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Algeria, Senegal, Angola, DR Congo, Egypt, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast, Gabon, South Africa, Uganda, Tunisia, Mali, Zambia , Zimbabwe, Comoros, Benin, Sudan, Tanzania, Mozambique and Botswana.. DR
Thus, the 24 countries qualified for the final phase are: Morocco (host country), Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Algeria, Senegal, Angola, DR Congo, Egypt, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast, Gabon, South Africa, Uganda, Tunisia, Mali, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Comoros, Benin, Sudan, Tanzania, Mozambique and Botswana.
The 24 teams qualified for the final phase of CAN 2025
| Groups | Pays | Groups | Pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group A | – Comoros – Tunisia |
Group G | – Zambia – Ivory Coast |
| Group B | – Morocco – Gabon |
Group H | – RD Congo – Tanzania |
| Group C | – Egypt – Botswana |
Groupe I | – Mali – Mozambique |
| Group D | – Nigeria – Benin |
Group J | – Cameroon – Zimbabwe |
| Group E | – Algeria – Equatorial Guinea |
Group K | – South Africa – Uganda |
| Group F | – Angola – Sudan |
Group L | – Senegal – Burkina Faso |
Overall, the logic was respected with one big exception. Thus, only one top seed was swept away during these qualifiers, Ghana. The third most successful nation on the continent with four trophies – 1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982 – will not make the trip to Morocco. The Black Stars did not win any matches, settling for 3 draws (3 points).
A huge fiasco for a generation of talented players embodied by Mohammed Kudus (West Ham), Mohammed Salisu (Monaco), Tariq Lamptey (Brighton), Ibrahim Osman (Feyenoord), Joseph Paintsil (Los Angeles Galaxy), Iñaki Williams (Bilbao), Jordan Ayew (Leicester City), Thomas Partey (Arsenal)… After this bitter failure, coach Ottp Addo should not remain coach of the Black Stars.
Apart from this big surprise, the eliminations of Guinea and Cape Verde were not as expected.
Remarkably, only one selection managed to win all its matches: Morocco. Qualified as host country of the competition, Morocco totaled six victories (18 points) with a goal difference of +24 (26 scored against 2 conceded).
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