Race for AFCON '25 Spots Heats Up – Detailed Team Progress Report

The ongoing qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) are intensifying as national teams battle for the remaining coveted spots in this prestigious tournament, scheduled in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. With eight teams already securing their places, the competition among the remaining nations is fiercer than ever as they strive to etch their names in this continental showcase of football excellence.

As it stands, the following teams have officially qualified for AFCON 2025: Morocco, the host nation, alongside strong contenders Algeria, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Egypt, DR Congo, Angola, and Cameroon.

Tunisia's Tight Race
In Group A, the situation is extremely tight, with Tunisia currently leading the pack. They have accrued 7 points from 4 matches, maintaining a slender lead of just one point over Comoros and a two-point advantage over The Gambia. Madagascar sits at the bottom of the group with only 2 points. To ensure their qualification, Tunisia must earn all three points in their looming final match against Madagascar. Meanwhile, the showdown between Comoros and The Gambia promises to be a high-stakes match, potentially determining who will accompany Tunisia into the tournament.

Morocco and Gabon in Control
Group B is firmly under the control of Morocco, who have already qualified as hosts, boasting an impressive 12 points. Gabon stands in a strong second place with 7 points and only needs to secure a result comparable to what the Central African Republic (CAR) achieves in their match against Lesotho to guarantee their progression. The CAR currently has 3 points, while Lesotho is struggling at the bottom with just 1 point.

Botswana’s Strong Position
In Group C, Egypt is demonstrating remarkable form, having already qualified with an impeccable record of 12 points. Botswana holds a respectable second place with 6 points and faces a daunting challenge ahead, as they must defeat the formidable Egypt to cement their chances of qualification. Both Cape Verde and Mauritania are locked in a tight contest, each possessing 3 points and eager to exploit any slip-ups from the teams above them.

Nigeria on the Brink
Group D has placed Nigeria at the summit with 10 points, positioned just on the cusp of qualifying. The Super Eagles need to secure at least 1 point from their final match against Benin, who currently sits in second place with 6 points but must win to keep their qualification hopes alive. Rwanda is closely trailing with 5 points, while Libya is in a precarious position with just 1 point, desperately needing a turnaround in their fortunes.

Algeria's Dominance
Group E showcases Algeria's dominance, with the reigning champions sitting comfortably at the top with 12 points. Equatorial Guinea follows in second place with 7 points, looking to build on its momentum. Togo faces an uphill battle; they must secure a victory against Liberia to maintain any hope of qualifying. Notably, Equatorial Guinea has the opportunity to qualify early if they can pull off an upset win against Algeria.

Ghana's Desperate Situation
Ghana's situation in Group F is quite grim as they have only mustered a disappointing 2 points from four matches. With their qualification hopes hanging by a thread, they need to win both of their remaining matches against Angola and Niger, while simultaneously hoping for Sudan to falter in their matches. Ghana must rise to the occasion if they are to have any chance of keeping their AFCON dreams alive.

Ivory Coast and Zambia Leading
In Group G, the reigning champions Ivory Coast are maintaining a strong lead with 9 points and only require one more victory from their last two matches to ensure qualification. Zambia is also well-positioned with 7 points and is eyeing a crucial win against Sierra Leone in the final round, which could secure their passage to the tournament.

DR Congo Perfect So Far
Group H is dominated by DR Congo, who are exhibiting outstanding performance with a perfect record of 12 points. Guinea is in second place with 6 points and faces the critical task of avoiding defeat against Tanzania to keep their hopes alive. For Tanzania, victory is paramount if they are to remain viable contenders for the second qualification spot.

Tension in Group I
In Group I, Mozambique and Mali are locked in an exhilarating tie at the top with 8 points each. Their upcoming match is pivotal; a win will guarantee qualification for the victor while leaving the other team vulnerable to potential elimination.

Zimbabwe’s Qualification Path
Group J sees Zimbabwe in a favorable position; they need only to avoid defeat against Kenya to qualify alongside Cameroon, who leads the group with 10 points.

Uganda and South Africa Close
In Group K, Uganda finds themselves needing just one point from their remaining two matches to secure their place. South Africa also stands in a strong position, requiring a win from their final outing. Meanwhile, in Group L, both Burkina Faso and Senegal have already qualified, leading to the unfortunate elimination of Burundi and Malawi from contention.

Upcoming Key Matches   

Several teams face an uphill battle to qualify, including Liberia, Eswatini, South Sudan, Namibia, Burundi, and Malawi. With the qualifiers reaching their dramatic conclusion, every upcoming match will be critical in determining which teams will join Morocco in what promises to be an electrifying AFCON tournament.

Key matches to circle on your calendar include Ghana vs. Angola, Tunisia vs. Madagascar, Mozambique vs. Mali, and Zimbabwe vs. Kenya, all of which could have seismic implications regarding qualification. As the final rounds of qualifiers approach, fans can expect thrilling encounters that may well shape the future landscape of African football.