Saturday saw three additional countries secure their berths at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, while Mozambique clinched qualification with a thrilling 95th-minute winner. Mauritania and the Democratic Republic of Congo also successfully booked their spots in next year’s finals, but it was a disappointing outcome for striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as his Gabon side narrowly missed out.
As the countdown to AFCON, set to commence in Ivory Coast on January 13, continues, there remain three more slots to be determined.
Mozambique ensured their return to the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 2010 with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Benin in Maputo, securing their qualification in Group L.
In Group I, all four nations entered Saturday’s matches with a chance of qualification. However, it was the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mauritania who emerged as the successful teams, leaving Sudan and Gabon disappointed.
DR Congo claimed the top spot in Group I with a 2-0 win over Sudan in Kinshasa.
The significance of Saturday’s matches was overshadowed by the devastating earthquake in Morocco, which claimed the lives of more than 1,000 people and led to the postponement of the Group K match between Morocco and Liberia, which had no bearing on the qualification.
Nonetheless, Sunday’s crucial Group G game between The Gambia and Congo-Brazzaville in Marrakech is set to proceed as planned.
These three qualifiers from Saturday join the ranks of Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Mozambique, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, and Zambia at the finals. Ivory Coast had already secured their spot as hosts.
More pivotal matches are scheduled to take place until September 12, with three additional nations, including Cameroon, striving to secure their places in the 24-team tournament. With 21 teams already through, the anticipation for AFCON continues to build.
