The draw for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying competition took place in Johannesburg on Thursday, setting the stage for an exciting series of matchups across the continent.
Nigeria, drawn in Group D, will play against Benin, Libya, and Rwanda as the country seeks to reclaim its dominance in African football.
Here’s how the groups are shaping up:
Group A
- Tunisia
- Madagascar
- Comoros
- Gambia
Group B
- Morocco (hosts)
- Gabon
- Central African Republic
- Lesotho
Group C
- Egypt
- Cape Verde
- Mauritania
- Botswana
Group D
- Nigeria
- Benin
- Libya
- Rwanda
Group E
- Algeria
- Equatorial Guinea
- Togo
- Liberia
Group F
- Ghana
- Angola
- Sudan
- Niger
Group G
- Ivory Coast (holders)
- Zambia
- Sierra Leone
- Chad
Group H
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Guinea
- Tanzania
- Ethiopia
Group I
- Mali
- Mozambique
- Guinea-Bissau
- Eswatini
Group J
- Cameroon
- Namibia
- Kenya
- Zimbabwe
Group K
- South Africa
- Uganda
- Congo Brazzaville
- South Sudan
Group L
- Senegal
- Burkina Faso
- Malawi
- Burundi
Important Dates:
- Matchdays 1, 2: September 2-10, 2024
- Matchdays 3, 4: October 7-15, 2024
- Matchdays 5, 6: November 11-15, 2024
Key Notes:
- Preliminary Winners: Liberia, Eswatini, South Sudan, and Chad won their preliminary ties and join the other 44 qualifiers who received byes.
- Qualification: Winners and runners-up from each group will qualify for the tournament. However, in Group B, only the best-placed team among Gabon, Central African Republic, and Lesotho will secure a place, as Morocco qualifies automatically as the host nation.
- Tournament Dates: Morocco will host the Africa Cup of Nations from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
With the draw complete, fans can look forward to an exciting journey as their teams battle it out for a spot in Africa’s premier football tournament.
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