The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) stands as Africa’s premier football tournament, showcasing the continent’s top talent and passion for the sport. As of March 6, 2025, the qualification phase for AFCON 2025 is underway, with teams vying for a coveted spot in the tournament scheduled for December 2025 to January 2026 in Morocco.
Qualification Groups Overview
The qualification process divides participating nations into groups, where they compete in a round-robin format. The top teams from each group earn their place in the final tournament. Here’s a detailed look at the current standings:
Group A
Tunisia: Leading with 7 points from 4 matches, Tunisia has secured 2 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss, with a goal difference of +1.
Comoros: Close behind, Comoros has accumulated 6 points, boasting 1 win and 3 draws, remaining unbeaten so far.
Gambia: With 5 points, Gambia has 1 win, 2 draws, and 1 loss, maintaining a neutral goal difference.
Madagascar: Struggling in the group, Madagascar has 2 points from 2 draws and 2 losses.
Group B
Morocco: Dominating Group B, Morocco has a perfect record with 12 points from 4 consecutive wins and an impressive goal difference of +13.
Gabon: Holding 7 points, Gabon has 2 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss, with a goal difference of +1.
Central African Republic: With 3 points, they have 1 win and 3 losses.
Lesotho: At the bottom, Lesotho has managed just 1 point from a draw and 3 losses.
Group C
Egypt: Leading with a flawless record, Egypt has 12 points from 4 wins, without conceding a single goal.
Botswana: With 6 points, Botswana has 2 wins and 2 losses, despite a negative goal difference.
Cape Verde: Accumulating 3 points from 1 win and 3 losses.
Mauritania: Also with 3 points, Mauritania has 1 win and 3 losses, with a goal difference of -4.
Group D
Nigeria: Leading with 7 points from 3 matches, Nigeria has 2 wins and 1 draw, without conceding any goals.
Benin: With 6 points, Benin has 2 wins and 2 losses, maintaining a neutral goal difference.
Rwanda: Holding 5 points from 1 win, 2 draws, and 1 loss.
Libya: At the bottom with 1 point from 1 draw and 2 losses.
Group E
Algeria: Leading with a perfect record, Algeria has 12 points from 4 wins, with a goal difference of +10.
Equatorial Guinea: With 7 points, they have 2 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss.
Togo: Accumulating 2 points from 2 draws and 2 losses.
Liberia: At the bottom with 1 point from 1 draw and 3 losses.
Group F
Angola: Dominating with 12 points from 4 wins, boasting a goal difference of +5.
Sudan: With 7 points from 2 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss.
Ghana: Surprisingly struggling with just 2 points from 2 draws and 2 losses.
Niger: At the bottom with 1 point from 1 draw and 3 losses.
Group G
Ivory Coast: Leading with 9 points from 3 wins and 1 loss, with a goal difference of +6.
Zambia: Close behind with 7 points from 2 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss.
Sierra Leone: With 4 points from 1 win, 1 draw, and 2 losses.
Chad: At the bottom with 2 points from 2 draws and 2 losses.
Group H
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Leading with a perfect record of 12 points from 4 wins, without conceding any goals.
Guinea: With 6 points from 2 wins and 2 losses.
Tanzania: Holding 4 points from 1 win, 1 draw, and 2 losses.
Ethiopia: At the bottom with 1 point from 1 draw and 3 losses.
Group I
Mozambique: Leading with 8 points from 2 wins and 2 draws, with a goal difference of +4.
Mali: Also with 8 points, Mali has 2 wins and 2 draws, but a lower goal difference.
Guinea Bissau: With 4 points from 1 win, 1 draw, and 2 losses.
Eswatini: At the bottom with 1 point from 1 draw and 3 losses.
Group J
Cameroon: Leading with 10 points from 3 wins and 1 draw, with a goal difference of +5.
Zimbabwe: Close behind with 8 points from 2 wins and 2 draws.
Kenya: With 4 points from 1 win, 1 draw, and 2 losses.
Namibia: At the bottom without any points from 4 losses.
Group K
Uganda: Leading with 10 points from 3 wins and 1 draw, with a goal difference of +4.
South Africa: With 8 points from 2 wins and 2 draws, boasting a strong offensive record.
Republic of the Congo: Holding 4 points from 1 win, 1 draw, and 2 losses.
South Sudan: At the bottom without any points from 4 losses.
Group L
Burkina Faso: Leading with 10 points from 3 wins and 1 draw, with a goal difference of +7.
Senegal: Also with 10 points, Senegal has 3 wins and 1 draw, with a goal difference of +6.
Burundi: With 3 points from 1 win and 3 losses.
Malawi: At the bottom without any points from 4 losses.
Key Observations
Dominant Performers: Teams like Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have showcased exceptional form, maintaining perfect records in their respective groups.
Surprising Struggles: Traditional powerhouses such as Ghana find themselves in challenging positions, highlighting the unpredictable nature of football.
Top Scorers and Key Players in AFCON 2025 Qualifiers
Several standout players have been instrumental in their teams’ success so far. Here are some key figures who have been making a significant impact:
Mohamed Salah (Egypt): The Liverpool forward continues to be Egypt’s main attacking force, scoring crucial goals that have kept his team at the top of their group.
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria): The Napoli striker has been in excellent form, leading Nigeria’s attack with clinical finishing and pace.
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco): The Paris Saint-Germain full-back has been a key figure, not just defensively but also in attack, scoring important goals and providing assists.
Sadio Mané (Senegal): The Bayern Munich forward remains a crucial player for Senegal, helping them stay competitive in their group.
Riyad Mahrez (Algeria): The experienced winger has been vital in Algeria’s perfect run so far, leading with creativity and goal-scoring ability.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When will the final AFCON 2025 tournament take place?
The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 is scheduled to be held between December 2025 and January 2026. The exact dates will be confirmed after the qualification process is completed.
2. How many teams qualify for AFCON 2025?
A total of 24 teams will qualify for the tournament, including the host nation, Morocco. The remaining spots will be determined through the qualification process.
3. Which teams have already qualified for AFCON 2025?
Rayados As of now, no team has officially secured a place, but teams like Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, and Senegal are close to qualification due to their strong performances in the group stage.
4. Which player has scored the most goals in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers?
Real Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) and Mohamed Salah (Egypt) are among the top scorers in the qualification rounds, leading their teams with crucial goals.
To read more, Click Here