The journey to the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) resumes on Sunday as the second round of qualifiers gets underway, with thrilling fixtures set to unfold across the continent.
Teams are vying for a coveted spot in Morocco’s premier football tournament, with only the top two teams from each group securing qualification.
A total of 24 matches are scheduled, and national teams are eager to strengthen their positions in the race for AFCON 2025. Following a dramatic opening round filled with surprises and expected outcomes, the competition is heating up.
Group favorites like Nigeria, Cameroon, and Côte d’Ivoire aim to solidify their positions at the top, while strong teams like Ghana and Senegal look to recover from early setbacks.
Senegal Looks to Rebound Against Burundi
Senegal, the 2021 AFCON champions, find themselves in a challenging spot after a surprising 1-1 home draw against Burkina Faso. The Teranga Lions are determined to bounce back as they face Burundi, who currently lead Group L following an impressive 3-2 away victory over Malawi. Senegal’s manager, Aliou Cissé, will be counting on stars like Sadio Mané to lead the team in what is shaping up to be a crucial match for the reigning champions. “We understand the importance of this match,” Cissé emphasized. However, Burundi, buoyed by their opening win, will be a tough opponent.
Nigeria Faces Rwanda in Crucial Group D Showdown
Nigeria, riding high after a comfortable 3-0 win over Benin, travel to Rwanda with confidence. The Super Eagles, led by a potent attack featuring Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, will be eager to continue their scoring spree. However, Rwanda, coming off a hard-fought draw with Libya, will be a formidable challenge on their home turf.
Meanwhile, Morocco, already qualified as hosts but still participating in the qualifiers, face Lesotho in what is expected to be a straightforward match. Despite this, coach Walid Regragui is taking nothing for granted: “Every match is an opportunity to improve and maintain our competitive edge. We respect Lesotho and will approach the game with utmost seriousness.”
Cameroon Eyes Another Win Against Zimbabwe
One of the round’s most intriguing fixtures sees Zimbabwe hosting Cameroon in a Group F clash with significant implications for qualification. Zimbabwe’s new coach, Michael Nees, expressed satisfaction with his team’s goalless draw against Kenya in their opener, particularly praising Khama Billiat, who came out of international retirement for the campaign. “Khama was excellent for us,” Nees noted. “His experience and quality will be crucial against a strong Cameroon side.” The Indomitable Lions, fresh off a narrow 1-0 win over Namibia, will be looking to assert their dominance in the group.
Botswana Braces for Egypt Test
In Group C, Botswana faces a daunting challenge against Egypt after losing their opener to Mauritania. Botswana’s coach, Didier Gomes Da Rosa, remains optimistic despite acknowledging his team’s underdog status. “We are the little thumb that wants to grow,” he remarked. “Against Egypt, we must show progress in the final third and maintain our tempo.” Meanwhile, defending champions Côte d’Ivoire look to build on their opening win against Zambia as they host Chad, with the Elephants determined to top their group and maintain momentum.
As the qualifiers intensify, the mix of established powerhouses and ambitious underdogs promises an exciting round of matches. With only the top two teams from each group (excluding Morocco’s group) advancing to the finals, every point is vital in the race for AFCON 2025 qualification.
