By Ronald Ocweo
The 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifying campaign has been marked by significant surprises, underlining the increasing competitiveness of African football.
Matchday four took a twisting turn for several African giants as they slipped in their quest to secure maximum points.
Sudan 2-0 Ghana
The Black Stars of Ghana went down to the Sudanese Falcons of Jediane at the Martyrs of February Stadium in Benghazi, Libya, through second-half strikes from Ahmed H.M. Mohamed in the 62nd minute and Mohamed A.Y. Yagoub in the 65th minute, sealing a famous victory. This result places Sudan in the second spot with 7 points, ahead of Ghana and Niger.
In this twist-filled fixture, the Black Stars of Ghana were not only denied three points but also saw their qualification chances for Morocco placed in jeopardy, having gathered only two points from four games in Group F.
With two more fixtures remaining, the Black Stars will aim to secure maximum points away in Angola on November 11th and at home against Niger on November 19th. They hope Sudan will drop points, allowing Ghana to secure qualification with 8 points from Group F.
Group F
1. Angola – 12 pts
2. Sudan – 7 pts
3. Ghana – 2 pts
4. Niger – 1 pt
Sierra Leone 1-0 Côte d’Ivoire
The Leone Stars sealed their first victory in Group G with a 1-0 win over the Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Monrovia, Liberia.
Japanese-based Sierra Leonean forward Amadou Bakayoko scored an 85th-minute lone goal to stall Côte d’Ivoire’s quick qualification. They sit atop Group G with 9 points, ahead of former African giants Zambia, who are second with 7 points.
To progress to Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire will need to secure a double-header victory away in Zambia on November 11th and at home against Chad on November 9th.
This is critical, as a double-header win by either Zambia or Sierra Leone would pose a threat to Côte d’Ivoire’s 9-point lead, with Zambia potentially rising to 13 points and Sierra Leone to 10 points if Côte d’Ivoire fumbles in their next two fixtures.
Group G
1. Côte d’Ivoire – 9 pts
2. Zambia – 7 pts
3. Sierra Leone – 4 pts
4. Chad – 2 pts
Comoros 1-1 Tunisia
The Coelacanths of Comoros held the Tunisian Eagles of Carthage to a 1-1 draw at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Côte d’Ivoire, having edged past them 1-0 in the first leg of the clash.
With crucial points against the North African giants, Comoros sits second in Group A with 6 points, ahead of Gambia and Madagascar. They have registered three draws and a win in their qualifying campaign.
However, the single-point gap between the group leaders Tunisia and the runners-up Comoros could intensify the next two double-header fixtures. The group remains open for qualification, especially if bottom-placed Madagascar gathers maximum points from their last two fixtures while hoping for losses by either Tunisia or Comoros.
Group A
1. Tunisia – 7 pts
2. Comoros – 6 pts
3. Gambia – 5 pts
4. Madagascar – 2 pts
