The AFCON 2025 qualifiers delivered thrilling drama and unexpected outcomes on Monday, 18 November 2024, showcasing the fierce competition across the continent. With several groups concluding their campaigns, teams fought hard for top positions, while others sought to end on a high note despite missing out on qualification.
Key victories by Comoros, Rwanda, and Malawi headlined the day, with Algeria and Morocco solidifying their dominance. As the road to Morocco 2025 nears its end, these results further set the stage for a highly anticipated tournament next year.
AFCON 2025 Qualifiers Recap
Comoros Leapfrog Tunisia to Top Group A
In a pivotal Group A clash, Comoros secured a gritty 1-0 victory over Madagascar at the Grand Stade Al-Hoceima. Yacine Bourhane’s 47th-minute strike from a corner sealed the win, solidifying Comoros’ unbeaten campaign and lifting them to the summit with 12 points.
Madagascar’s struggles persisted, as they ended bottom of the group with just two points. Meanwhile, Tunisia suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Gambia in Tunis. Abdoulie Ceesay’s early header condemned Tunisia to second place, while Gambia’s disciplined performance saw them finish third with eight points.
Malawi Thrash Burkina Faso to End Campaign on High
In Group L, Malawi stunned Burkina Faso with a commanding 3-0 win at the Bingu National Stadium. Gabadinho Mhango opened the scoring with a sensational long-range effort in the 28th minute, followed by second-half goals from Richard Mbulu and Lloyd Aaron.
Despite their impressive performance, Malawi finished bottom of the group on goal difference. Burkina Faso, already qualified, endured a disjointed display but held onto second place behind Senegal.
Algeria and Togo Shine in Group E
Algeria wrapped up their qualifiers with a dominant 5-1 win over Liberia, extending their unbeaten streak to 19 games. After falling behind early, the Fennecs roared back with goals from Aïssa Mandi, Riyad Mahrez, Baghdad Bounedjah, Amine Gouiri, and Mohammed Amoura. Algeria finished top of the group with 16 points, cementing their status as tournament favorites.
Elsewhere, Togo ended their campaign with a morale-boosting 3-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea in Lomé. Yaw Annor’s brace and Kevin Denkey’s stunning strike highlighted Togo’s resurgence. Despite the loss, Equatorial Guinea had already secured qualification.
Rwanda Upset Nigeria but Miss Out on Qualification
Rwanda produced one of the day’s biggest surprises, defeating Nigeria 2-1 in Uyo. Goals from Ange Mutsinzi and Innocent Nshuti completed a comeback after Samuel Chukwueze’s opener for Nigeria.
However, Rwanda’s earlier results left them tied with Benin on points. Benin advanced due to a superior head-to-head record after holding Libya to a 0-0 draw in Tripoli.
Morocco Dominate, Gabon Secure Second Place in Group B
Host nation Morocco concluded their flawless Group B campaign with a 7-0 demolition of Lesotho. Brahim Díaz’s hat-trick and additional goals from Soufiane Rahimi, Youssef En-Nesyri, and Ismael Saibari ensured Morocco ended with maximum points and a +24 goal difference.
Meanwhile, Gabon edged the Central African Republic (CAR) 1-0 courtesy of a Guélor Kanga penalty. The win secured Gabon’s second-place finish, while CAR extended their winless streak to five matches.
Looking Ahead
With these results, the stage is set for a thrilling AFCON 2025 in Morocco. Teams like Algeria and Morocco have established themselves as favorites, while surprises like Comoros and Rwanda underscore the unpredictable nature of African football. The tournament kicks off on 21 December 2025, promising unforgettable moments for fans across the continent.
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