AFCON Qualifiers Preview

The final matches of qualification for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations will take place in the coming week across the continent. Thirty-nine national teams are vying to secure the remaining nineteen slots for next year’s biennial continental tournament in Cameroon.

Only five teams have already booked their places: defending champions Algeria, Senegal, Tunisia, Mali and hosts Cameroon. Four teams have been eliminated from the race.

AfricanFtbl’s Beng Manuel previews the various qualification groups to see who could eventually qualify for AFCON 2021 in Cameroon.

Group A:

The Eagles of Mali top group A and are already through to the 2021 AFCON finals. It is their eighth successive appearance since 2008. Guinea and Namibia must now battle for the second ticket. The Syli national are banking on their skipper and Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita to ensure they eventually sail through. They are five points clear third place Namibia - who are already guaranteed three points after Chad’s disqualification by CAF for government interference in football. The brave Warriors are aiming to makeup for their early exit in 2019. They were absent from five previous editions between 2010 and 2017.

But that dream could be discarded when Guinea host leaders Mali. They will qualify with a win.

Group B:

South Sudan’s dramatic win against Uganda on match day three rekindled hopes of making their debut at the 2021 AFCON. The newest national team in Africa tail group B after picking three points from four games played.

The Bright Stars led by Cameroon-born Cyprian Besong Ashu have to win their final games against Malawi at home and Burkina Faso. The stallions who intend to maintain their supremacy lead the group with eight points.

Uganda are second with a point difference behind Burkina Faso while Malawi’s hard-earned four points keeps them third.

Contrary to group A, this group is very much open for surprise outcomes. Qualifications could be decided on the final match day.

Group C

If Group B appears to be very open, then group C appears complex. Sao Tome and Principe are already eliminated from the race having failed to grab a single point in four games.

Ghana - frontrunners from the group are tied with nine points at the top with runners-up South Africa whom they face in the penultimate clash on match day five in Johannesburg.

Sudan’s chances of qualifying over her more experienced rivals lie solely within their performance. They have grabbed six points from two wins.

Emulating their terrific form against Sao Tome/ Principe especially and Ghana whom they beat during the first leg should be a great boost towards making their return to the Afcon finals for the first time in eight years.

So, it’s simple. The team which wants to qualify must not drop points no matter what. Every point henceforth counts.

Group D

Apart from Gambia, Gabon, DR Congo and Angola have been regulars at the Nations Cup. But the status-quo is likely to change with two games left.

The Scorpions of Gambia are joint leaders of the group alongside Gabon with seven points each. The Democratic Republic of Congo - who haven’t missed out from any edition since 2013 - occupy the third spot but only a point behind Gabon.

Angola have managed just a point since the start of the qualifiers. A win against Gambia and Gabon can create a big upset in the group.

Two time winners the DRC have the potential to rise from the ashes and grab glory. There is also the possibility to emerge top. Gambia and Gabon could make things easier for them if they drop points against Angola.

Group E

Morocco celebrating against Central African Republic.

Morocco is the most dominant side in the group. They are the only team to have won all their games so far recording ten points from four games.

The remaining three contesters have won at least a game each and all have the opening to qualify. Mauritania and Burundi are the most likely to join Morocco from the group. They are separated by only a point.

But there is still hope for the Central African Republic despite their current status in the group. The wild beast who sit lowest of the standing have never featured at an AFCON finals. Mauritania and Burundi share just a single stint each at the continent’s premier sporting event.

Group F

Regardless of their position as host country, Cameroon have been impressive and now top group F.

More creativity and intuition will be needed from Mozambique - who fell to back-to-back defeats during match days three and four - should they hope of ending their nine year wait for a return.

Cape Verde have failed to win a single game in the qualifier after four draws. A win against the Indomitable Lions and Mozambique will give them an upper hand in the group.

Rwanda isn’t giving up yet. A potential two wins in a row can hand them only their second participation at the AFCON after 2004.

The group is tight and there’s no margin for errors.

Group G

If you want something you have never had, then you must do what you have never done before; so must Comoros who are aiming for their first ever stint at the final phase of the nations cup in Cameroon.

It has been an exciting ride for the island nation. The Coelacantes beat Togo 1-0 away in their first away win in a major qualifier and held Egypt to a goalless draw on match day two. They stunned Kenya after a draw which took them level on points in the Pharaohs on eight points. All eyes will be on them when the remaining qualifiers begin.

Kenya on their part are determined to bounce back despite their flawed start. But Egypt are also eager to confirm their participation despite two tricky fixtures that once left them struggling.

Togo is already eliminated with just a point in four games.

Goals are not what we often get from this group. Players will have to light things up and make great changes.

Group H

Like Comoros, Botswana is bracing for unprecedented success. The Zebras first and only appearance at the AFCON was in 2012.

But there have an uphill task to achieve the same feat this year having secured just four points and six points behind leaders Algeria.

They also have second place Zimbabwe to challenge, not forgetting Zambia who tail the group. It will take them a lot to go past such opposition but they will have to make it count.

Only one spot is left, with three teams to scramble for. Game on!

Group I

As expected Senegal took control of the group and became among the first teams to qualify unbeaten with all twelve points collected.

Bottom placed Eswatini have crashed out of the race which leaves Congo and Guinea Bissau to decide on who inherits the second place despite the four points gap between them in that order.

The stage is set. Only one of the two will join Senegal from the group. But who will it be?

Group J

It’s no surprise that Tunisia picked up early qualification with two games to spare. Saif-Eddine Khaoui has scored more goals (3) than any other player, but also Tunisia’s defence have been impermeable conceding alone twice.

There is still one more slot available. Equatorial Guinea, Tanzania and Libya still pursuing their chances of a nations cup appearances that can mean a lot for any of them.

Equatorial Guinea have been out of sight since staging the Nations cup in 2015. Tanzania are very hopeful of successive nation’s cup appearances after 2019 while Libya have been absent since 2012.

There’s certainly more to hope from the group. It will take a lot of convincing from the trio. But it’s worth it after all.

Group K

If Ivory Coast and Madagascar, both on seven points each at the top, are considered as favourites of the group, Ethiopia and Niger have shown they don’t lack the gas in their tank to challenge.

With several world class talents like Arsenal’s Nicolas Pepe and AC Milan’s Franck Kessie ready for action, the elephants have a challenge to make it count.

Madagascar is no surprise in the group. Since 2019, the island nation has enjoyed a steady rise in African football. But that may not be enough. Ethiopia and Niger are coming up strongly from the back. As if to say, they still have their word in the group.

What next?

Group L

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen scoring a goal

A lot has happened since Sierra Leone historic comeback from 4-0 to draw 4-4 against Nigeria to keep their hopes of qualifying alive. In fact that game may have left players of the Super Eagles scratching their heads over what went wrong. Now is the time to make amends and join the continent’s heavyweights already secured for Cameroon next year.

It shall start with Benin away then Lesotho at home. These are teams who are aiming to impress and feel they must win or lose fighting.

Sierra Leone has shown they have much to offer. Many will be keen on seeing if they can create although they are four points behind Benin whom they face in their final game on March 30 in Freetown.

Now, have you thought about an Afcon without Nigeria in Cameroon-eternal rivals?

It sounds very crazy, possible but difficult.