Qualification for 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Secured
The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification process is well underway, with Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau, Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Zambia, Equatorial Guinea, Cape Verde, Mali, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, South Africa and Tunisia already securing their spots.
Kelechi Iheanacho’s 95th-minute Winner Seals Nigeria’s Qualification
Nigeria secured their place in the 2023 AFCON with a 3-2 win over Sierra Leone. Victor Osimhen put Nigeria 2-0 up inside 32 minutes with a deft lob and a close-range finish. Sierra Leone fought back to level the score at 2-2 before Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho poked home the winner in the 95th minute to secure Nigeria’s qualification and send Guinea-Bissau through as Group A runners-up.
Aubameyang’s Gabon Return Falls Flat
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gabon’s record scorer with 23 goals in 69 games, announced his international retirement in May 2022 before a meeting with Gabon president Ali Bongo Ondimba persuaded him to change his mind. However, his return did not go to plan as Gabon lost 2-0 at home to the Democratic Republic of Congo – a result which lifted DRC from the bottom to the top of Group I. Gabon are second in a group from which all four teams can qualify, but they must beat Sudan in the final round of games in September to go through.
Goalless Ghana Made to Wait
Ghana missed out on qualifying with a game to spare as they were held 0-0 in Madagascar. Two points separate the Group E leaders from Angola in second and third-placed Central African Republic, whom they host on 3 September. The Central African Republic, who could also have qualified, lost 2-1 at home to Angola.
Zambia Secure Qualification with 3-0 Win over Ivory Coast
Patson Daka and Kings Kangwa struck and Serge Aurier scored an own goal as Zambia beat hosts Ivory Coast 3-0 in Ndola to seal their Afcon place. A late penalty gave Equatorial Guinea an impressive 1-0 win against Tunisia in Malabo that secure a second successive Afcon qualification, while Cape Verde, with a population less than 600,000, will make their fourth appearance at the tournament following a 3-1 home win over Group B winners Burkina Faso.
Mali Secure Top Spot in Group G with 2-0 Win
Mali secured top spot in Group G with a 2-0 win in Congo-Brazzaville, who face a winner-takes-all clash with the Gambia for the runners-up spot. Hosts Ivory Coast, holders Senegal, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, South Africa and Tunisia had already secured their spot in the 24-team Afcon, which was postponed to January next year because of the summer rainy season in West Africa.
Conclusion
The qualification process for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is well underway and it looks set to be an exciting tournament. Nigeria secured their place in the tournament thanks to Kelechi Iheanacho’s 95th-minute winner against Sierra Leone. Other teams to have already qualified include Gabon, Ghana, Zambia, Equatorial Guinea, Cape Verde, Mali, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, South Africa and Tunisia. The tournament is set to take place in January next year and will be one not to miss!