South Africa, Nigeria and 12 other countries qualify for the Final tournament in Cote d’Ivoire; Ghana & other 9 teams are still up for grabs

The thrilling weekend of TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 Qualifiers saw more African football giants’ countries book their place in the continent’s biggest event set to take place between 13 January and 11 February 2024.

The qualification of most of the former African champions this past weekend is again another indication that the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 is likely to be one of the most successful events in the competition’s history.

There are still qualifier matches to be played on Tuesday as part of the Match Day Five fixture block. Fourteen [14] nations are now confirmed for the Final tournament in Cote d’Ivoire.

Zambia produced possibly the weekend’s most polished performance in front of their home fans in Ndola to secure an emphatic 3-0 victory against tournament hosts and former African champions, Cote d’Ivoire. Nigeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Equatorial Guinea and Cape Verde also book their place

The results ensured that ‘Chilopopolo’, crowned champions in Gabon 2012, will return to Africa’s most-watched sports event after an eight-year absence.

The week of the qualifiers they started on a high note for another giant of African football, Egypt. The record-winners of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations confirmed their place in next year’s tournament following a 2-1 victory over Guinea in Marrakech on Wednesday.

In another match, a stoppage-time goal was enough for Equatorial Guinea, who beat Tunisia 1-0 on Saturday to secure their ticket for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations for the second time in a row and a third appearance.

On Sunday, Cape Verde recorded an emphatic 3-1 victory over Burkina Faso to confirm their spot for Cote d’Ivoire.

Two second-half goals ensured Mali triumphed with a 2-0 win against Congo at the Stade Alphonse Massamba-Debat in Brazzaville to cement their place for the AFCON finals early next year.

Nigeria left it very late after a last-gasp winning goal saw them claim a 3-2 victory against Sierra Leone in Monrovia to add their name to the qualified nations for next year’s tournament.

Nigeria’s win over Sierra Leone also confirmed Guinea Bissau’s fourth straight qualification for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, winning their match against São Tomé and Príncipe by a 1-0 score line on Wednesday.

Hosts Cote d’Ivoire, African champions Senegal, FIFA World Cup semi-finalists Morocco, former Champions Tunisia, Algeria, South Africa and the ever-impressive Burkina Faso booked their places in March 2023.

The last round of qualifiers will be in September 2023. Angola, Ghana, and other eight [8] countries are still up for grabs to make the list of 32 for the tournament.

The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 will kick off on 13 January 2024 and run until 11 February 2024.

The event will take place in six venues: Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara (56,000 seats) and Stade Felix Houphouet Boigny (28,000 seats), located in Abidjan. The remaining venues are Stade de Korhogo (20,000 seats), Stade de San Pedro (20,000 seats), Stade de Yamoussoukro (20,000 seats), and Stade de la Paix de Bouake (40,000 seats).

Fourteen [14] Qualified Teams

• Cote d’Ivoire (Hosts)
• Morocco
• Algeria
• South Africa
• Senegal
• Burkina Faso
• Tunisia
• Egypt
• Zambia
• Equatorial Guinea
• Nigeria
• Cape Verde
• Guinea Bissau
• Mali