Sixteen months after the start of the qualifiers for the next African Cup of Nations (AfCON), there is only one spot remaining to complete the list.
An imbroglio linked to the new coronavirus has derailed the “final” of group L between Sierra Leone and Benin that was scheduled for Tuesday, March 30.
Indeed, shortly ahead of the kick-off of this match counting for the 6th round of the AfCON qualifiers, six top players from Benin (including Steve Mounie and Jodel Dossou) tested positive for Covid in Freetown.
The Squirrels then cried foul, arguing that the entire delegation had tested negative on Saturday evening in Cotonou. After several hours of quiproquo, the game was postponed. It will be played “in June 2021 at FIFA’s next international window,” the AfCON 2021Organizing Committee revealed.
Except for this hiccup, the playoffs delivered their verdict. In Group A, Guinea (2nd, with 11 points) killed the suspense by beating Mali (1st, with 13 points) in the 5th round. Though Guinea’s national team known as ‘Syli’ lost against Namibia (2-1), due in part to the absence of their major players, the result had no impact in the standings.
Malawi (10 points) stunned Group B, finishing second under Uganda’s nose (3rd, with 8 points), which was very attractive during the previous AfCON final phase in Egypt. With just a small point needed to make it to Africa’s most prestigious football event, the Cranes (Uganda’s national squad) lost (0-1) to the Flames of Malawi.
After 1984 and 2010, Malawi is back again on the African football scene. With 12 points to their credit, the Stallions of Burkina Faso finished first in their group. They thus sign their return, since they had missed the previous tournament held in 2019 in Egypt.
In Group C, Ghana (1st, with13 points) and Sudan (2nd, with 12 points) are qualified. Compelled to win, the Nile Crocodiles of Sudan pulled out all the stops on the final day to beat South Africa (2-0). Though they defeated the Pharaohs of Egypt on their land two years ago, the Bafana Bafana have once again fallen into their pitfalls.
In Group D, The Gambia caused a sensation in these qualifiers. The smallest West African country, which became independent from the UK in 1965, was until then the only country in the region to have never been to the AfCON. With three wins, one draw and two losses, the Scorpions folded the case on March 25 in Banjul against Angola (1-0). A goal by Assan Ceesay at the 62nd minute transported a whole nation to seventh heaven.
The other spot in this group is held by Gabon of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Panthers that failed to qualify for the AfCON 2019 outclassed the Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo (3-0) in their last but one match to stamp their ticket for the AfCON 2021in neighboring Cameroon.
In Group E, Morocco (1st, with 14 points) had a clear course punctuated by four wins and two draws. The Atlas Lions are followed by the Mourabitounes of Mauritania who gleaned nine points. In their distant duel with Burundi, Mauritania did the job by winning (0-1) in the Central African Republic. Mauritania, under the leadership of Corentin Martins of France, has ensured their second consecutive appearance in the Top African football tournament.
Host country of the tournament, Cameroon leads group F with 11 points in their purse. The five-time African champion will nevertheless have to improve their game if they are to win back the title. Victorious in Mozambique (0-1) on March 30, Cape Verde (2nd, with 10 points) nullified Rwanda’s qualification hopes (3rd, with 6 points). The Blue Sharks, which will be in their third AfCON after 2013 and 2017, have regained color, following the failures in 2017 and 2019.
Located in South-East Africa, the Comoros (2nd, with 9 points) hit hard in Group G to the detriment of Kenya (3rd, with 7 points) and Togo (4th, with 2 points). On March 25, a goalless draw at home against the Sparrowhawks of Togo was enough for the Coelacanths to celebrate. This archipelago of the Indian Ocean obtained its very first qualification for the AfCON after narrowly missing that of 2019. For its part, Egypt held its rank by clinging to their first place with three victories and as many draws.
Algeria on its way
The reigning African champion swept all teams at home and grabbed two draws and an away victory in group H. Algeria’s Djamel Belmadi, who remained undefeated for 24 matches, ended his campaign with a convincing success in Blida against Botswana (5-0).
Beaten 0-2 by Zambia two days ago, Zimbabwe of French club Lyon’s striker Tino Kadewere, are accompanying the Fennecs of Algeria. The Warriors ensured their presence in Cameroon with a narrow victory in Botswana (0-1), as part of the 5th round.
In Group I, Senegal (1st, with 14 points) qualified as early as the 4th round, while Guinea Bissau (2nd, with 9 points) had to fight until the end. The equation was simple for the Djurtus: beat the Congo at home (3rd, with 8 points). In the end, Coach Baciro Cande’s proteges did it with style. Final score: 3 to zero.
Among all the teams involved in these qualifiers, Tunisia recorded the most points. The Carthage Eagles won five games and conceded a draw in group J. Second with 9 points, Equatorial Guinea obtained their first qualification on the field. In 2012 (with Gabon) then in 2015, the ‘Nzalang Nacional’ had benefited from its status as host country of the competition.
Cote d’Ivoire and Ethiopia made the difference in group K. The Elephants qualified on March 26 in Niger (0-3). The day before, in Addis Ababa, the Walya were not afraid of the Barea of Madagascar (4-0). Although a victory against Mena (0-0) would have enabled them to turn the tide, Madagascar never recovered from this heavy defeat. Ethiopia’s last participation in the AfCON dates back to 2013.
Finally in Group L, Nigeria secured their first place thanks to their triumphs against Benin (0-1) and Lesotho (3-0). Sierra Leone and Benin are fighting over the second ticket of the group.
Initially scheduled for 2021, Africa’s flagship football tournament has been postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Finally, the Africa Cup of Nations will be held from January 15 to February 28, 2022 in Cameroon.
List of 23 qualified countries: Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Malawi, Ghana, Sudan, The Gambia, Gabon, Morocco, Mauritania, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Egypt, Comoros, Algeria, Zimbabwe, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Tunisia, Equatorial Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia and Nigeria.
ID/fss/abj/APA