Bernie Wilson
Updated on: October 8, 2024 2:14 pm GMT
Beginning on September 4, 2024, the qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) kicked off, marking an important event in African football. Scheduled to take place in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, this tournament will feature 24 teams vying for continental supremacy. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has organized the participating national teams into 12 groups, with each group battling for a place in the prestigious competition. The top two finishers from the 11 groups, excluding the host nation Morocco, will earn their spots in the tournament.
First Round of Matches Yield Mixed Results
The opening day of qualifiers produced a variety of outcomes across several matches held on September 4 and 5, 2024. Notable performances included:
- DR Congo 1 – 0 Guinea – Edo Kayembe scored the decisive goal for DR Congo, enabling them to start their campaign with a win.
- South Africa 2 – 2 Uganda – South Africa equalized late in a thrilling match, with goals from Lyle Foster and Thalente Mbatha bringing them level.
- Togo 1 – 1 Liberia – Togo took an early lead but conceded a last-minute equalizer, ensuring the points were shared.
- Sierra Leone 0 – 0 Chad – A tightly contested match ended in a scoreless stalemate.
The matches continued on September 5 and 6, showcasing more exciting football across the continent:
- Malawi 2 – 3 Burundi
- Central African Republic 3 – 1 Lesotho
- Congo 1 – 0 South Sudan
- Ghana 0 – 1 Angola
- Guinea-Bissau 1 – 0 Eswatini
- Algeria 2 – 0 Equatorial Guinea
- Tunisia 1 – 0 Madagascar
These matches set the tone for what promises to be a competitive qualification process as nations vie for a spot in Morocco.
Sudan’s Strong Start Under Kwasi Appiah
One of the standout stories from the opening round was Sudan’s performance under the guidance of Ghanaian coach James Kwasi Appiah. The Sudanese national team, also known as the Falcons of Jediane, secured a narrow 1-0 victory against Niger in Juba, marking a successful start to their qualification campaign.
Kwasi Appiah has been at the helm for a year, leading the team through a successful run in 2024. The victory against Niger adds to an impressive record: Sudan has won four out of their last five matches, including two away victories while maintaining clean sheets in three of those games. In total, they have scored six goals throughout this period.
Before the AFCON qualifiers, Sudan experienced mixed results in their friendlies and World Cup qualifiers. They began the year with a victory over Guinea-Bissau but faced a setback shortly after, losing to the same team. However, the team rebounded with a strong performance, notably defeating Mauritania and South Sudan in World Cup qualifying matches.
With this latest win, Sudan currently tops their AFCON qualifying group and will continue their campaign against Angola on September 9, 2024.
The Growth of AFCON and Morocco’s Involvement
The upcoming 2025 AFCON tournament is set to showcase the evolving landscape of African football. Morocco, hosting the competition for the second time in history—the first being in 1988—has made considerable strides in its football development. The 1988 tournament featured only eight teams, while the 2025 edition will include 24 nations, reflecting the growth and popularity of the sport across the continent.
This year, cities like Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, and Tangier are anticipated to host matches, with the iconic Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca playing a significant role, having previously hosted the final in 1988. Morocco’s successful bid to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal underscores its ambition to enhance its status in the international football arena.
Continued Coverage of AFCON Qualifiers
As the qualifiers progress, teams will continue to battle for their shot at glory in Morocco. The upcoming matchdays promise thrilling encounters as teams compete not just for the title but for national pride and recognition on the continental stage. Fans and analysts alike will be keen to observe how strategies evolve and new talents emerge throughout this qualification period.
The AFCON qualifiers are a way for teams to get into the tournament and show off their skills in African football. Many matches are coming up in the next few weeks, and everyone is getting excited to see how the teams will perform and chase their dreams.
