In a remarkable turn of events, reigning Africa Cup of Nations holders, Ivory Coast, along with Equatorial Guinea, have secured their places in the 2025 tournament without needing to play the penultimate round of qualifiers. Their automatic qualification came as a result of outcomes in other matches as the final stages of qualifying continued across Africa on Wednesday.
For Ivory Coast, their qualification was confirmed following Sierra Leone’s 1-1 draw with Chad in Group G. This result guaranteed that Ivory Coast would finish in one of the top two spots within the group. Currently, the Elephants sit at the top with nine points from four matches, followed closely by Zambia, who have accumulated seven points from the same number of games. With Sierra Leone now standing at five points with only one match left, and Chad officially eliminated from the tournament, the top two spots in the group are secure. As a result, Ivory Coast’s place in Morocco is confirmed, much to the delight of their fans.
Similarly, in Group E, Equatorial Guinea confirmed their participation in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. This was solidified after Liberia’s 1-0 victory over Togo in Monrovia. Despite their win, both Liberia and Togo were mathematically eliminated from qualifying for the tournament, ensuring Equatorial Guinea’s spot. Equatorial Guinea, sitting on seven points from their four games, cannot be overtaken by Liberia, who have four points from five matches, or Togo, who trail with just two points. Even if Liberia were to finish on the same points as Equatorial Guinea, the latter’s superior head-to-head record would keep them ahead in the standings. With only one remaining fixture against group leaders Algeria, Equatorial Guinea’s qualification is now beyond doubt.
Looking ahead, both Algeria and Equatorial Guinea will represent Group E in Morocco, adding to a growing list of already qualified teams for the finals. Alongside these two, the competition will see the participation of other continental powerhouses, including Cameroon, Angola, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Morocco, and Senegal. Each of these teams, renowned for their footballing prowess, promises to add flair and competitiveness to the tournament.
Thursday’s matches, however, may bring further qualification confirmations, with nine games scheduled to unfold across Africa. Among the most anticipated fixtures, teams such as Nigeria, Sudan, and Tunisia are expected to secure their places in Morocco as well. The excitement around these final rounds is palpable, with fans keenly watching their favorite teams fight for the remaining spots.
As Africa’s premier football competition approaches, anticipation continues to build. With Ivory Coast and Equatorial Guinea now confirmed for the finals, the stage is set for an electrifying tournament in Morocco, one where new champions may emerge and established giants will aim to reinforce their dominance. For the fans and players alike, this tournament offers not only a chance for glory but also an opportunity to showcase Africa’s rich football talent to the world.
