Noah Rosenstein
Updated on: October 8, 2024 1:46 pm GMT
The qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) began this September, with national teams from across the continent competing for one of the coveted spots in the prestigious tournament slated to take place in Morocco. A total of 48 teams have been organized into 12 groups, with the top two finishes from 11 of those groups (excluding tournament hosts Morocco) qualifying for the final event. This campaign opened with 24 matches scheduled on the first day, setting the stage for a competitive month of football ahead.
Key Match Results from Opening Days
As the AFCON 2025 qualifiers kicked off, various outcomes highlighted the competitive nature of this year’s series.
- September 4, 2024
- Sudan 1-0 Niger
- Comoros 1-1 Gambia
- Tanzania 0-0 Ethiopia
- Libya 1-1 Rwanda
- September 5, 2024
- 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
- September 6, 2024
- Kenya 0-0 Zimbabwe
- South Africa 2-2 Uganda
- DR Congo 1-0 Guinea
- Sierra Leone 0-0 Chad
- Togo 1-1 Liberia
- Morocco 4-1 Gabon
- Côte d’Ivoire 2-0 Zambia
- Egypt 3-0 Cape Verde
- Mali 1-1 Mozambique
- Senegal 1-1 Burkina Faso
- September 7, 2024
- Upcoming Matches:
- Cameroon vs Namibia
- Mauritania vs Botswana
- Nigeria vs Benin
- Upcoming Matches:
Notable Performances by Key Teams
One of the standout performances came from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), which secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Guinea. The winning goal was scored by Edo Kayembe at the 27-minute mark, providing coach Sébastien Desabre’s squad with a strong start to their qualification campaign. This victory places DR Congo among the early frontrunners for AFCON participation.
In a thrilling encounter, South Africa managed to salvage a 2-2 draw against Uganda. Lyle Foster and Thalente Mbatha were crucial for Bafana Bafana, scoring early and late goals, respectively, in what proved to be an intense match. On the other hand, Uganda demonstrated resilience with two quick goals to take the lead before being equalized in the dying moments.
Other highlights included Algeria’s solid 2-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea and Tunisia’s close 1-0 win against Madagascar, both strengthening their positions in the qualifiers.
Sudan’s Strong Start Under Kwasi Appiah
Sudan’s national team opened its AFCON qualifiers with an impressive 1-0 victory over Niger, courtesy of a goal by Kevin Denkey. This win marks the continuation of a successful run under the guidance of Ghanaian coach James Kwasi Appiah, who has led Sudan to four wins in their last five matches in all competitions.
Appiah’s meticulous approach has been reflected in Sudan’s performance; they have kept clean sheets in all three of their qualifying matches this year. Notably, Appiah has prompted a turnaround for Sudan’s football fortunes since his appointment in September 2023, steering the team to the top of both the AFCON and FIFA World Cup qualifiers group standings.
After a friendly against Guinea-Bissau in March which ended in a 1-0 victory, Sudan faced a temporary setback with a subsequent 2-1 loss but rebounded with victories, including a decisive 3-0 win against South Sudan in the World Cup qualifiers. With a current record of four wins and one loss in five games this year, Sudan aims to build on this momentum as they prepare for their next qualifier against Angola on September 9, 2024.
Morocco’s Role as Host and Future Aspirations
Morocco, having previously hosted the AFCON in 1988, is set to welcome the continent’s top teams in 2025. The country is undergoing significant development in its football infrastructure, with key cities such as Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, and Tangier cited as potential hosts for matches. The renowned Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca, which hosted the 1988 final, is expected to play a pivotal role in the tournament.
This hosting opportunity affirms Morocco’s status as a burgeoning football powerhouse both on and off the pitch, especially following their successful bid to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal. The combination of rich football history and vast infrastructural advancements positions Morocco as a significant player in the realm of international football.
Future Matches and Expectations
As the qualifiers continue, anticipation builds for upcoming matches that could shape the destiny of several national teams. Fans across the continent are keenly watching as established football nations seek to secure their spots at the AFCON tournament in Morocco. The importance of each match cannot be overstated, with every point vital in the quest for qualification.
Fans and experts will need to pay attention to exciting games like Nigeria versus Benin and other qualifiers happening later this month. These matches are important because they help everyone see which teams are ready to shine in one of Africa’s biggest sports events.
