2023 AFCON: Nigeria and other already qualified teams
Nigeria and 14 other teams have booked their place for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations – AFCON with one qualification matchday to go, SPORTSRATION reviews the journey to Ivory Coast.
GROUP A
Nigeria and Guinea Bissau booked their place for the 2023 AFCON with wins over Sierra Leone and Sao Tome and Principe respectively.
Guinea-Bissau defeated Sao Tome and Principe 1-0 in mid-week but had to wait for the Super Eagles of Nigeria to overcome 3rd place Sierra Leone 2-3 in Monrovia to confirm qualification.
Nigeria will host Sao Tome and Principe in the last group game while Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone lock horns in September 2023.
GROUP B
Burkina Faso and Cape Verde take the slots in group B.
The Burkinabes were already through to the 2023 AFCON before falling to a 3-1 matchday five loss vs Cape Verde who also book a spot in Ivory Coast.
In the final games in the group, Burkina Faso play Eswatini while Togo host Cape Verde.
GROUP C
Following the ban and subsequent removal of Kenya, this group has three countries battling for two AFCON spots.
1st-placed Namibia needed a point vs Burundi to book a place at the 2023 AFCON but slipped to a 3-2 loss today ( June 20) .
As it stands, qualification from this group will be decided on the last day’ when Cameroon face Burundi.
Namibia have completed their games and garnered five points. Cameroon are second with four points same as third-placed Burundi ahead of the final matcday.
GROUP D
Egypt sealed a place at the 2023 AFCON finals with a 2-1 win over second placed Guinea on matchday five. The Pharaohs now have 12 point, enough to mathematically confirm qualification.
The National Elephants of Guinea are second with Nine points and will wait for the result of Ethiopia vs Malawi to confirm qualification.
Both teams are currently on three points.
GROUP E
A 0-0 draw vs Madagascar will delay Ghana’s AFCON ticket.
The Black Stars lead the group on nine points and will have to at least get a point against the Central Africa Republic on Matchday six to qualify.
Angola had an important 2-1 win away against the Central African Republic on Matchday five to go second with eight points while The Central African Republic are third with seven points.
Madagascar, who are at the bottom of the table with two points, are not in contention and face Angola on Matchday six.
GROUP F
Flawless Algeria have won all their games to take maximum 15 points and lead Group F.
Algeria have booked their place for the 2023 AFCON with a game vs Tanzania to spare.
The Taifa Stars of Tanzania are second place with seven points after a 1-0 win over Niger on matchday five.
Third place Uganda lost 2-1 vs Algeria to stay on five points.
On the final day, The Cranes of Uganda have to beat Niger and pray Tanzania lose away against Algeria to qualify.
GROUP G
Mali defeated Congo on Matchday to book their Afcon ticket.
The other team flying to Ivory Coast should be Gambia who defeated South Sudan 3-2 on Wednesday .
Mali and Gambia faceoff on Matchday six while Congo and South Sudan finish their qualification series with pride as top agenda.
GROUP H
Zambia pounced 2023 Afcon hosts Ivory Coast 3-0 to go top of the group H with 12 points and qualify for the tournament.
Ivory Coast have taken 10 points with trailing Comoros and Lesotho on six and one point, respectively and out of reckoning.
GROUP I
This most competitive group in the 2023 AFCON qualification series, on two points separate first and second placed the Democratic Republic of Congo and Gabon – both on seven points, and Mauritania at the bottom of the log.
Third place Sudan (6) take on Mauritania later today (June 20) and a win for any of the teams will send them top of the log.
GROUP J
Equatorial Guinea and Tunisia are through to the 2023 AFCON from this group.
The National Thunder of Equitorial Guinea have 12 points to lead the group , with the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia in second place with 10 points.
Botswana and Libya, who occupy the last two positions will not participate at the next AFCON.
GROUP K
South Africa defeated Morocco 2-1 on Saturday, June 17 at the FNB Stadium.
Both Countries have qualified for the 2023 AFCON.
Liberia are the only other team in this group and face Morroco in the final Matchday.
GROUP L
Current Africa Cup of Nations Champions Senegal have have qualified to defend their crown as well as sealed top spot in Group L.
Senegal have garnered 13 points to go clear of 2nd place Mozambique (7) who have Benin Republic (5) to contend with for the other AFCON spot from the group.
Rwanda are bottom and out of contention.
IVORY COAST 2023
A total of 24 teams including hosts Ivory Coast will participate in the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
QUALIFIED TEAMS
15 teams have qualified for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
They are; hosts Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Morocco, Senegal, Algeria, South Africa, Equitorial Guinea, Tunisia, Mali, Egypt, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Burkina Faso and Zambia.
The remaining spots will be decided after the final qualification games in September.
Africa will gather in Ivory Coast for the AFCON in January 2024.
