Ghana Eliminated from Afcon 2025 Qualification as Four Nations Secure Spots

Comoros, Mali, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have secured their places in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with one round of qualifiers remaining, while Ghana’s aspirations of reaching the tournament have concluded. Jordan Ayew assumed the Ghana captaincy for this month’s qualification matches, taking over from West Ham forward Mohammed Kudus. The Black Stars required an away victory against Angola to extend their qualification campaign to the final set of Group F fixtures. Leicester City forward Jordan Ayew opened the scoring for the West Africans with a spectacular long-range free-kick, giving them a 1-0 lead. Abdul Manaf Nurudeen subsequently saved M’bala Nzola’s penalty, maintaining Ghana’s advantage before halftime. Angola, already qualified for the finals, leveled the score through Zine just after the hour mark. The match, held in Luanda, ultimately concluded in a 1-1 draw. Ghana, four-time continental champions, last missed the Nations Cup in 2004. Otto Addo’s team has failed to achieve a single victory in their five Group F encounters. In Group F, Sudan needs only a point from their home fixture against Angola on Monday to advance. However, Niger could claim second position if they defeat Ghana and Sudan suffers a loss. Only five berths for the 24-team finals, scheduled for Morocco next year, are still to be determined. Kamory Doumbia, who plays for French club Brest, scored the goal that propelled Mali into the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Doumbia’s first-half strike secured a 1-0 win for Mali in Mozambique, with the game proceeding in Maputo despite street protests following last month’s disputed presidential election. Mali, known as the Eagles, have guaranteed the top spot in Group I. Mozambique must avoid defeat against Guinea-Bissau in their final match to join Mali at the finals in Morocco. Guinea-Bissau, the West Africans, trail Mozambique (the Mambas) by three points after a 1-1 away draw against Eswatini. They still have a chance to qualify if they achieve a victory over Mozambique on Tuesday, which would grant them an advantage in the head-to-head record between the two teams. Zambia ascended to the top of Group G following an unexpected 1-0 home triumph over reigning continental champions Ivory Coast, although the Elephants had already secured their progression before the match. This outcome extinguished Sierra Leone’s qualification prospects. Comoros will make a return to the finals after Myziane Maolida’s 90th-minute winning goal sealed a 2-1 away victory against The Gambia, thereby eliminating the Scorpions in Group A. The Gambians, needing at least a point to remain in contention, took an 18th-minute lead through Alassana Jatta, but Rafiki Said quickly equalized for the islanders. Comoros, who reached the last 16 in their debut at the 2021 finals but did not participate in the 2023 edition, advance from Group A alongside Tunisia. Zimbabwe secured a top-two position in Group J by earning a point from their home game against Kenya. A 1-1 draw against the Harambee Stars ensured their progression alongside Cameroon. In other matches, Botswana missed an opportunity to secure only their second appearance at the Nations Cup after a 1-1 home draw against Mauritania in Group C. Cape Verde was eliminated following a 1-1 home stalemate against an already-qualified Egypt, who had not called up Mohamed Salah and rested in-form forward Omar Marmoush. Botswana now requires a point from their trip to Egypt on Tuesday to qualify. Mauritania will finish second in the group if they win at home against Cape Verde and the Zebras are defeated in Cairo. Meanwhile, South Africa achieved a 2-0 victory in Uganda in Group K, and Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz scored twice as tournament hosts Morocco came from behind to secure a 5-1 win against Gabon in Group B. All four teams involved in these matches had already confirmed their progress prior to kick-off. Only two qualifying matches are scheduled for Saturday, both in Group H. Ethiopia will host Tanzania (16:00 GMT), and Guinea will welcome already-qualified DR Congo (19:00 GMT). Should Tanzania drop points, Guinea can qualify for the finals by defeating the Leopards. Teams already qualified include: Morocco (hosts), Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Comoros, DR Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Mali, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Summary of recent match results: The Gambia 1-2 Comoros (Group A) Gabon 1-5 Morocco (Group B) Botswana 1-1 Mauritania (Group C) Cape Verde 1-1 Egypt (Group C) Angola 1-1 Ghana (Group F) Zambia 1-0 Ivory Coast (Group G) Eswatini 1-1 Guinea-Bissau (Group I) Mozambique 0-1 Mali (Group I) Zimbabwe 1-1 Kenya (Group J) Uganda 0-2 South Africa (Group K)