The latest round of matches in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers provided significant developments, offering insights into how various nations are shaping up ahead of next year’s tournament. Here are five key conclusions from Tuesday’s fixtures.
Morocco has firmly established itself as a force to be reckoned with in African football, maintaining a stellar run in the AFCON qualifiers.
The Atlas Lions have won all four of their matches in Group B, collecting 12 points and solidifying their position as one of the top contenders for the 2025 title, which will be hosted on home soil.
In addition to their flawless record, Morocco has been impressive both offensively and defensively, scoring 14 goals while conceding just one.
This remarkable balance between attack and defense demonstrates that Morocco is a serious contender for next year’s championship.
While Morocco has been dazzling, Senegal has also made headlines by becoming one of the first nations to secure their place at AFCON 2025.
A dramatic 1-0 victory over Malawi on Tuesday, courtesy of a last-gasp free-kick from Sadio Mané in the 96th minute, sealed their qualification.
The Al Nassr forward’s heroic moment ensured Senegal’s passage to the tournament, continuing their strong run of form.
The Lions of Teranga, already regarded as one of Africa’s premier footballing nations, will now set their sights on challenging for the title in Morocco next year.
Ghana, once a powerhouse in African football, is facing growing concerns over their form. With just two points from their first four games in Group F, the Black Stars find themselves in a precarious position.
Their latest setback came in a 2-0 defeat to Sudan, leaving them winless and struggling to make a significant impact in the qualifiers.
The team that qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup seems to have lost its competitive edge, and their path to AFCON 2025 is now in serious jeopardy.
With only two matches remaining, Ghana will need a dramatic turnaround if they are to avoid missing out on the tournament.
South Africa, meanwhile, has been one of the standout performers in recent months, playing some of the most exciting football on the continent.
Bafana Bafana’s stunning 5-0 demolition of Congo in their previous match captured attention across Africa, signaling their potential to be genuine contenders in Morocco next year.
With confidence high and a team that is gelling well, South Africa seems poised to make a deep run in AFCON 2025, raising hopes of a return to their glory days in African football.
As the qualification phase enters its final stages, the popularity of the Africa Cup of Nations continues to grow.
Fans are packing stadiums across the continent, creating vibrant atmospheres that underline the tournament’s increasing appeal.
Even matches held in neutral venues have seen impressive attendance figures, reflecting the passion and enthusiasm that AFCON generates among supporters.
This rise in popularity is a positive sign for African football as it moves towards the 2025 edition in Morocco, promising a tournament filled with excitement and drama.
With teams like Morocco and Senegal securing early qualification and others like Ghana facing an uphill battle, the race to AFCON 2025 is heating up, promising an exciting few months ahead.
