With the end of the European club football season, next in focus is the 2023 AFCON qualifiers.
There are 54 African countries battling for the 24 berths available in the next Africa Cup of Nations tournament (AFCON) to be held beginning in January 2024 in the Ivory Coast.
Defending champions Senegal will be facing fierce competition from fellow African powers Egypt, Algeria, Cameroon, Morocco, host nation Ivory Coast, and others as they try to become the first back-to-back AFCON champions since Egypt won three straights in 2006, 2008, and 2010, KHELNOW reports.
To qualify for AFCON, teams must progress through a group stage-style qualification format. The top two finishers in each group advance to AFCON, while the bottom two in each group are eliminated. This produces the 24 qualifiers who will reach the final tournament. Ivory Coast has already qualified for AFCON as hosts, but they will still play in the qualification matches despite their spot being assured.
The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers which will take centre stage on the African continent are in the latter stages, with several teams having already qualified while others with great hopes will book their finals qualification tickets on matchday four, GOAL reports.
Kenya and Zimbabwe did not get a chance to compete with other nations in the qualifiers due to their respective FIFA bans and as a result, Group C and K had just three teams.
With two matchdays remaining, some countries have already been eliminated, and others have their hopes hanging by a thread.
GOAL analyses the AFCON qualifiers which will be played across the continent between Wednesday, 14 June and Tuesday, 20 June 2023.
Group A
On matchday 5, Guinea-Bissau will play bottom side Sao Tome & Principe on Wednesday, June 14, knowing three points will be enough to see them qualify for the finals if Sierra Leone fail to collect maximum points against Nigeria on Sunday.
Leone Stars failing to beat the Super Eagles will see them out of the race to qualify for the competition proper in Ivory Coast, while a draw would see Nigeria book their place in the finals.
As it stands, Nigeria lead the pool with nine points, second-placed Guinea Bissau are on seven, Sierra Leone are third with five points while Sao Tome – who stand no chance to qualify, are at the bottom with a point.
All teams have played four matches.
Group B
Burkina Faso have already sealed their place in Ivory Coast after collecting 10 points already from the four games played. The Burkinabes will be away against Cape Verde on Sunday.
A point for the Islanders will be enough to see them through if Eswatini and Togo cancel each other on the same day. Both teams have two points, but Togo are at the bottom owing to an inferior head-to-head record.
Group C
In Group C, Namibia are almost through to the final but will have to confirm that by collecting at least a point against Burundi on Tuesday, June 20. The two nations drew 1-1 in the initial meeting in the group that comprises three teams after Kenya was removed.
Cameroon are second with four points and third-placed Burundi have one point having lost 1-0 to the Indomitable Lions on matchday two.
Group D
Egypt and Guinea have a massive chance of claiming the top two positions in this pool. They both have nine points after playing four games.
On Wednesday, June 14, the two will play each other in Marrakech Stadium, Morocco as Ethiopia host Malawi on Tuesday, June 20. If the two matches end in a draw, then both the Pharaohs and the National Elephants will be uncatchable. If either wins, then the Ethiopia and Malawi game has to have a winner to ensure the final slot is determined on the final matchday.
Group E
Ghana lead the chase for the AFCON ticket after accumulating a total of eight points from the four outings so far.
A win against Madagascar on Sunday, June, 18 will see them dine with the big boys in the continent in Ivory Coast.
A day before, the Central African Republic will host Angola. If the former win, then they will get their AFCON ticket. Madagascar, who are at the bottom of the table with a point, have no qualification chance.
Group F
Algeria are running their own race in this group. They have collected the maximum points, 12, and as a result, they have claimed the top position regardless of the outcome of the remaining two matches.
Tanzania and Uganda are joint second in the pool with four points owing to their identical stats.
Tanzania host Niger on Sunday and will be aiming at beating the Menas by many goals and hope Uganda fall to Algeria. Niger have no option but to avoid defeat in Dar es Salaam and sustain their slim hopes of qualifying; they are currently at the bottom with just two points.
Group G
On Wednesday, June 14, Gambia’s win will end South Sudan’s bid to qualify. The latter have three points from the previous four games and their midweek visitors, who are on six points, will be targeting a double after winning the initial meeting by a solitary goal.
Leaders Mali, who are on nine points, have a date with Congo who are second with three points less.
The Eagles will qualify with a win away and leave Gambia and Congo to battle for the remaining slot.
Group H
Ivory Coast have so far managed to take 10 points in a pool consisting of Zambia – who are second with nine points, Comoros, three, and Lesotho who have been eliminated.
Chipolopolo will join the Elephants if they avoid a defeat on Saturday against the 2023 AFCON hosts.
It would render the remaining matches meaningless.
Group I
This pool has been one of the most competitive, with three points separating leaders Gabon – on seven points, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, at the bottom.
A win for Gabon against the Leopards will be enough to seal their place in the final, leaving Sudan and Mauritania to scramble for the second slot.
Sudan have six points while Mauritania are on five.
Group J
Tunisia are guaranteed a spot in Ivory Coast, and Equatorial Guinea will join them if they collect a point against the North Africans on Saturday, June 17.
Libya have an outside chance with their three points, but Botswana – who have one, are out of contention.
Group K
Both Morocco and South Africa have qualified for the 2023 finals. Group leaders, Morocco are on six points – followed by second-placed Bafana who have four points.
The top position is still up for grabs, but Morocco have two games left while Bafana Bafana will be playing their last Group K match when they host Atlas Lions on Saturday.
Liberia are at the bottom of the group with one point and they have been eliminated.
Group L
Reigning AFCON champions Senegal have already qualified for the 2023 edition after registering a 100% winning record in their four games played.
Mozambique are second on four points and will play third-placed Rwanda away on Sunday. If Amavubi win, they will go second with six points, but a win for Mozambique will seal their place in the finals.
Benin have to beat the Teranga Lions on Saturday and hope the match between Rwanda and Mozambique ends even.
