Photo Credit: Équipe du Maroc
Twenty-four teams are confirmed for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations that will take place in Morocco in a little over a year and it was a thrilling qualification campaign to follow. The expansion of the tournament is creating opportunities for Africa's rising national teams to compete with the elite nations who traditionally dominate the region. Below, Pan-Africa Football reviews the 2025 AFCON qualification campaign and takes a look at the qualified teams from Groups A-F.
Group A
Photo Credit: Fédération de Football des Comores
Group Summary
Group A was fiercely competitive, featuring a Tunisia team that is in transition along with a young and rising Gambia side. However the stars of the show were Les Coelacantes of Comoros who continue to prove that their 2021 AFCON qualification was not a fluke.
Qualified Teams
Comoros
We are familiar with some of the stars of the current Comoros team who established themselves in the 2021 AFCON team. Youssouf M'Changama, Saïd Bakari and Faïz Selemani are examples of veteran players in the current squad who inspired the success seen in 2021. Head coach Stefano Cusin has expressed his admiration for the chemistry of the team and how well the project is developing.
However, successful recruiting of more talented dual national players makes the current group even more frightening for opponents. Rafiki Saïd, Zaydou Youssouf, Warmed Omari and Myziane Maolida are all additions over the last few years who play at high levels of club football and continue to be integrated into the national team with very positive results. The only undefeated team in Group A, Comoros were deserved group winners and there is no question that this current team is more talented and ambitious as they look to exceed their surprise Round of 16 finish in 2021.
Video: Myziane Maolida scores the winning goal against Gambia to secure qualification
Tunisia
By the high standards of Tunisia, a country known for their consistency and reliability, this campaign was very underwhelming. The defense was not reliable and young goalkeeper of the future Amanallah Memmiche had issues with his confidence throughout the campaign, culminating in his halftime substitution last week in the victory over Madagascar that confirmed qualification.
Of course, the lack of a consistent attack continues to be the main concern as the Eagles of Carthage continue to search for a reliable striker. There are talented attacking midfielders and wingers who are beginning to realize their potential (Hamza Rafia, Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, Hannibal Mejbri and Sayfallah Ltaief) but no clear answer to the question up top with Wahbi Khazri retired from national team duty and the continued decline of all-time record scorer Youssef Msakni.
19-year-old US Monastir forward Hazem Mastouri showed some positive signs in the November matches (watch his pass in the video below) and the next permanent coach will need to find a long-term solution to the striker question.
Group B
Photo Credit: Équipe du Maroc
Summary
It is impossible not to consider 2025 AFCON hosts Morocco the favorites after a splendid run in the qualifying competition. The Atlas Lions scored 26 goals and only conceded 2 in 6 matches. Gabon were the runners-up in a weak group and despite the presence of veterans Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Denis Bouanga, the Panthers will need to improve their performance if they want to have any impact in Morocco.
Qualified Teams
Morocco
The Atlas Lions already proved their credentials at the 2022 FIFA World Cup but this team is more talented and younger. Coach Walid Regragui and the Moroccan administration is teaching a lesson to the rest of Africa regarding how to incorporate dual national recruits and build a complete team. As far as the product on the pitch, Morocco expectedly overwhelmed a weak group in which they hosted five of their six matches due to the stadium situations of Lesotho and Central African Republic.
Brahim Díaz, Eliesse Ben Seghir, Abde Ezzalzouli, Ismael Saibari and Adam Aznou are all examples of new arrivals since 2022 who look like they have been with the group longer. Several of these young players committed to play for the Morocco under-23 team at the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations and have been rewarded with opportunities. Success at the Olympic Games the following year has only hastened the integration of these talents into the larger group, making even established stars such as Hakim Ziyech appear to be expendable (he still seems to be in Regragui's plans). This focus on long-term success and a devastating rapid style of play makes Morocco clear favorites to break the trend of uninspired Atlas Lions performances at the AFCON.
Video: Morocco 7-0 Lesotho highlights
Gabon
This Gabon team do not look any different from previous additions, which perhaps indicates a steady decline. There is still some gas in the tank of veterans Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Denis Bouanga, Guelor Kanga and The Panthers only dropped one point in matches against Central African Republic and Lesotho but lost both their matches to group winners Morocco by a combined 9-1 score.
There are young players who are finding their place in the team like forwards Rody Effaghe and Shavy Babicka as well as dual national fullbacks Jacques Ekomié and Anthony Oyono but the evidence suggests that Gabon will have a difficult task ahead to qualify for the knockout stages in Morocco.
Group C
Summary
Egypt showed their class at the top of a group where second place came down to the final day. All three teams other than Egypt had a negative goal difference but Botswana earned their place at AFCON 2025 with a strong finish, earning all eight of their points in the final four matches without a defeat.
Qualified Teams
Egypt
Undefeated through the opening three matches, the Pharaohs were able to rest Mohamed Salah for the second half of qualifying to allow coach Hossam Hassan to evaluate Salah's supporting cast. Egypt look much stronger in attack with rising stars like Omar Marmoush and Ibrahim Adel gaining experience playing alongside established stars like Salah and Trezeguet.
The defense is where Egyptian supporters may have concerns and the qualification campaign did not provide a strong exam for evaluation. Mohamed Abdelmonem is the best central defender but will Egyptians be confident with a player like Ramy Rabia as the central partner for Abdelmonem? Ahmed Hegazy is reliable but had a falling out with coach Mossam Hassan and his staff and will be 34-years-old when the next AFCON arrives.
Video: Botswana 0-4 Egypt highlights
Botswana
One of seven members from Southern Africa's COSAFA region to qualify for the finals in Morocco, Botswana got the job done through grit, determination and experience. Coach Morena Ramoreboli, a well known figure in Botswana football for his accomplishments with the nation's top club Jwaneng Galaxy, is a steady hand who knows how to get the most out of his players.
Several key players are from Galaxy including attackers Thabang Sesinyi and Gilbert Baruti as well as charismatic goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko who are experienced at playing on the big stage of African club football in the CAF Champions League. South Africa-based center back Thatayaone Ditlhokwe is a anchor in the defensive line while attackers Tumisang Orebonye and Kabelo Seakanyeng have proven themselves in the unforgiving terrain of North African club football. This Zebras team has experience and a well-balanced team in defense and attack that makes them a difficult opponent.
Video: Botswana secure qualification for AFCON 2025 with a draw in Egypt
Group D
Photo Credit: Nigeria Super Eagles
Group Summary
Nigeria won the group but it was a far from convincing campaign for the Super Eagles who were inconsistent and appear to still be figuring out their strategy and approach under coach Augustine Eguavoen. It would have been a much more tense finish for Nigeria if they hadn't been awarded a forfeit victory from the events in Libya. Benin barely edged Rwanda for second place in a competitive group that came down to the final day.
Qualified Teams
Nigeria
Being a Nigerian supporters continues to be a frustrating experience at times where it is difficult to know which Super Eagles team will appear. Alex Iwobi, Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon and Ademola Lookman have established themselves as the reliable options in an attack that also features Samuel Chukwueze and the underperforming Victor Boniface.
However, the team only put together one convincing performance in their opening 3-0 victory over Benin and lost the head-to-head with Rwanda including a 2-1 defeat at home to conclude qualifying. Nigeria is known for putting it together when it matters like at the 2023 AFCON but the coach, whether its Eguavoen or a new foreign coach as many supporters are calling for, needs to find solutions ahead of the return of 2026 World Cup qualifying where Nigeria need to make up ground.
Video: Nigeria 3-0 Benin highlights
Benin
There is potential in this Cheetahs group. Younger talents such as Dokou Dodo, Junior Olaitan, Andreas Hountondji and Hassane Imourane are all capable of taking the next step to join Sessi D'Almeida, Steve Mounié and David Kiki as consistent performers.
There is still a lot of work to do for head coach Gernot Rohr who needs to get this team to perform better away from the comforts of home. The Cheetahs only scored one goal in their three matches away from home in the qualification campaign. The emergence of the younger players mentioned above is necessary for Benin who are on the verge of growing their status in African football but have not quite fulfilled their potential.
Video: Benin 3-0 Rwanda highlights
Group E
Photo Credit: Équipe d'Algérie de football
Group Summary
It was another routine AFCON qualification for Algeria who have an excellent history of getting strong results away from home in sub-Saharan Africa. Les Verts only had one draw in an otherwise perfect campaign where they showed their class in a rather weak group. Equatorial Guinea continue to establish themselves as a solid if unspectacular team whose consistency saw them finish above Togo and Liberia.
Qualified Teams
Algeria
There are no ill effects from the departure of long tenured coach Djamel Belmadi, in fact Les Verts look more promising under Bosnian manager Vladimir Petković. The Algerian attack was merciless at home and there is plenty of depth in this team who still have veteran players like Riyad Mahrez, Aïssa Mandi and Baghdad Bounedjah to count upon.
The question for this team is whether they can elevate their level to a team that is capable of winning trophies. Mahrez is showing signs of decline for both club and country and there are some questions about the quality of the defense against stronger opposition. These issues do not come to light until the most important moments so it is important for Petković to determine if a player like central defender Mohamed Amine Tougaï is ready to thrive on the biggest stage in African football.
Video: Algeria 5-1 Liberia
Equatorial Guinea
It was a difficult start for Nzalang Nacional who finished strongly to qualify by virtue of more consistency than Togo and Liberia. This is largely the same group who have produced positive results in recent AFCON tournaments which is both encouraging and troubling.
The forced removal of top scorer Emilio Nsue is relieved by the return of midfielder Pedro Obiang after a long period of illness. But we know the level that is team is capable of performing while also understanding that there is little chance they will exceed their usual level. For now we know that the defense and midfield remain strong and goalkeeper Jesús Owono is developing into a player who could help this team challenge the top teams of Africa on their best day.
Video: Liberia 1-2 Equatorial Guinea highlights
Group F
Photo Credit: Federação Angolana de Futebol
Group Summary
Now is the time for Ghana supporters to look away. A historically poor Black Stars team opened the path for the wonderful story of Sudan's qualification with a strong veteran group that overcame the obstacle of being unable to host their home fixtures. Topping the group was Angola who nobody can dispute are a team to fear at the AFCON going forward with an improved pool of players who continue to develop team chemistry.
Qualified Teams
Angola
The Palancas Negras are performing at their best under coach Pedro Gonçalves and fully deserved to win Group F. After missing the 2023 AFCON, veteran central defender Bastos returned to add experience in an already strong defense that also features Kialonda Gaspar and dual national recruit David Carmo with strong midfielder Show in front of the back line.
As for the midfield and attack, the support around star winger Gelson Dala continues to increase which makes the Angolan attack an entity to fear. Players like Zini, Zito Luvumbo, Milson and Gilberto are all dynamic dribblers but Mabululu is the pure striker who adds finishing at the top of the formation along with versatile dual national addition Randy Nteka. Strong wingbacks Clinton Mata and Núrio Fortuna only add to a complete team that is poised to make a strong impression in Morocco.
Video: Angola 2-1 Sudan highlights
Sudan
The story of the qualifying competition, the Nile Crocodiles proved how far experience and team chemistry can take teams in national team competitions. A resilient 0-0 draw in Ghana was followed by a triumphant 2-0 victory at their adopted home in Libya which spurred Sudan to secure qualification. It was truly a job well done for the players and coach James Kwesi Appiah who will be the lone representative of Ghana involved at the finals in Morocco.
Led by tricky forward Mohamed Abdelrahman and a stubborn defense anchored by the outstanding performances of goalkeeper Mohamed Mustafa, this group of players have been together for a long time by modern standards. The issue with Sudan is that there are questions about if they can rise to another level but having a strong defense will carry them far if the team can find a way to generate goals, something that will be the main concern in Morocco.
Video: Sudan 2-0 Ghana highlights
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