With matchday four of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers completed, eight teams have already secured their places at next year’s tournament in Morocco, with two games to spare.
Unsurprisingly, most of these teams are among Africa’s football heavyweights: Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Cameroon, Senegal, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Angola, and Burkina Faso.
Morocco, already qualified as hosts, have displayed impressive form in Group B, winning all four of their games.
They top the group with 12 points, scoring 13 goals and conceding just one.
The 2022 World Cup semifinalists are ranked 14th globally and first in Africa, and they will be hoping to add to their sole AFCON title, won in 1976.
Egypt, the record seven-time AFCON champions, have also confirmed their qualification with 12 points from four games.
The Pharaohs, leading Group C, have scored 10 goals without conceding, solidifying their record 26th AFCON appearance, the most of any nation.
Algeria, two-time champions, lead Group E with a flawless 12 points.
However, since their 2019 AFCON triumph, the Desert Warriors have struggled in recent tournaments, failing to progress past the group stage in 2021 and 2023.
DR Congo, under the guidance of former Uganda Cranes coach Sebastien Desabre, have secured their spot in Morocco with maximum points in Group H.
They have scored six goals and have not conceded a single one in their qualification campaign so far.
Group F’s Angola join the list of early qualifiers with a perfect 12-point haul in their group.
The Palancas Negras will be making their ninth appearance at AFCON.
Five-time champions Cameroon are also through after amassing 10 points in Group J.
Notably, the Indomitable Lions played two of their qualifiers at Uganda’s Namboole Stadium due to logistical challenges faced by Zimbabwe and Kenya.
Group L is the only group to have two teams qualify after four games: 2021 champions Senegal and 2013 runners-up Burkina Faso.
Both teams are tied at 10 points and will continue their quest to top the group in the remaining fixtures.
As the qualification phase approaches its conclusion in November, teams like Uganda will aim to confirm their place in the prestigious tournament when the final two matchdays are played.
For now, the stage is set for these eight African powerhouses to battle for continental glory at AFCON 2025.
