The roadmap to the 35th edition of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco began to take shape as the preliminary round draw unfolded today at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. The draw yielded compelling fixtures that promise intense competition in the quest for qualification.
With the 34th edition of AFCON hosted in Ivory Coast now a historical chapter, the focus has shifted to the upcoming tournament set to unfold on Moroccan soil next year.
Ahead of the main qualifiers, the preliminary round draw has added a layer of anticipation to the proceedings.
Following a ceremonious event at the CAF headquarters, the eight nations slated to contend in this crucial phase were revealed.
The matchups that emerged from the draw are poised to capture the attention of football enthusiasts. The preliminary round fixtures are as follows:
First Leg Encounters:
1. Somalia vs Eswatini
2. Djibouti vs Liberia
3. Sao Tome vs South Sudan
4. Chad vs Mauritius
Second Leg Duels:
1. Eswatini vs Somalia
2. Liberia vs Djibouti
3. South Sudan vs Sao Tome
4. Mauritius vs Chad
In adherence to the established schedule, these matches are slated to unfold in a home-and-away format during the FIFA window spanning from March 18 to 26, 2024. T
he stakes are high as the victors of the preliminary round – a quartet of triumphant nations – will progress to join the 44 exempt teams in the subsequent group stage of the qualifiers.
As the footballing community eagerly awaits the unfolding drama on the pitch, the AFCON 2025 preliminary round has set the stage for a riveting journey towards qualification, keeping fans and pundits alike on the edge of their seats.
