Stephen Dunmoye
The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations has seen 14 countries qualified already for the 24-team tournament in the Ivory Coasts with 10 more spots up for grabs.
The qualifying round that started with a two-legged preliminary round in March 2022 is gradually reaching its climax. Group I that has Gabon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and Mauritania is far from over.
The group stage for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is scheduled for October 12, three months before the competition begins in the Ivory Coast from January 13 to February 11, 2024.
Qualified Countries: Ivory Coast (host country), Senegal, Morocco, Algeria, Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Equatorial Guinea, Tunisia, Guinea-Bissau, Zambia, Mali, Burkina Faso and Cape Verde.
Eliminated Countries: Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Togo, Eswatini, Ethiopia Madagascar, South Sudan, Comoros, Lesotho, Botswana, Libya, Liberia and Rwanda.
Key Fixtures to look-out for
Namibia vs Burundi – June 20: The Brave Warriors can qualify for their fourth AFCON on Tuesday if they beat Burundi in Dar es Salaam. Namibia lead Group C with five while Burundi have just a point.
Cameroon vs Burundi – September 2023: The Indomitable Lions have to wait till September before they cement their ticket to the Ivory Coast when they face Burundi. Cameroon are second in Group C with four points after three games.
Ethiopia vs Malawi – June 20: Malawi need nothing less than a win to keep alive their chances of making it to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
They are third in Group D with three points, six points behind second-placed Guinea who already lost to Egypt last Thursday. If the Flames can pick maximum points against Ethiopia on Tuesday, then they will set up a decisive clash against second-placed Guinea in September.
Ghana vs Central African Republic – September 2023: Nothing is confirmed for the Black Stars even though they lead Group E with nine points while the Central African Republic are third in the group with seven points, meaning the winner of the decisive match in September will qualify.
Angola vs Madagascar – September 2023: This is another decisive fixture in Group E for Angola as Madagascar are already eliminated with just two points. The Black Antelopes who are second with eight points need to win the game, so as not to depend on the outcome of the Ghana vs CAR fixture.
Algeria vs Tanzania – September 2023: The Taifa Stars need to avoid defeat at all costs against the AFCON 2019 champions to cement their qualification for next year’s tournament. Algeria are through with 12 points while Tanzania follow closely with seven points.
Niger vs Uganda – September 2023: Uganda can still finish second in Group F if they beat Niger with a wide goal margin, and it will be dependent on Tanzania falling to Algeria in the other fixture.
Gambia vs Congo – September 2023: With Mali through as Group G leaders, the second ticket for the group is between the Gambia and Congo. The Scorpions are in second position with nine points and Congo sit third with six points, so they must win by a wide goal margin to cancel their -5 goal difference as well.
Group I: All four teams can still qualify with Gabon and DR Congo level on seven points, Sudan have six points and Mauritania on five points.
Mozambique vs Benin – September 2023: Another crucial decisive fixture with the winner set to take all. Benin managed to hold Senegal to a 1-1 draw on Saturday and they are five points in Group L while Mozambique ended Rwanda’s AFCON hopes with a 2-0 win to have seven points after five matches.
