By Victor Kanayo
Four countries – Nigeria, Uganda, South Africa and Cote d’Ivoire have booked their places in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for Morocco.
The latest of them is Nigeria that picked the Bi-annual ticket on Thursday night.
The West African football giants qualified even before their Group D clash against Benin Republic in Abidjan after home team Rwanda fell 1-0 to Libya in Kigali.
This shock home loss means Rwanda now have five points from five matches and even if they beat the Super Eagles on Monday in Uyo, they will not finish higher than the three-time African champions.
However, Rwanda are still pressing hard on second-placed Benin, who also have six points, but with tonight’s game against Nigeria still to be played.
Libya remain bottom of the standings with four points.
They welcome Benin Monday in a final Group D game.
Cherries, Bafana Bafana In Morocco
Earlier on Thursday, South Sudan overcame Congo in a five-goal spectacle in their AFCON qualifier, helping Uganda and South Africa to qualify for the tournament.
In an action-packed game at Juba National Stadium, South Sudan edged Congo 3-2 in Group K to secure their first points of the qualifying campaign.
The home side showed resilience, overturning a 2-1 deficit to secure a crucial victory and spark massive jubilation among the home fans.
The Group K result means, Uganda leads the group with 10 points, followed by South Africa with eight.
South Sudan’s victory brings them to three points, just behind Congo on four points.
With just one match remaining, third-placed Congo cannot overtake Uganda and South Africa paving the way for the top two countries to qualify for the 2025 TotalEnergies AFCON in Morocco.
Ivorians on Swan Song
Cote d’Ivoire also qualified for next year’s competition as they cannot be overtaken third-placed Leone Stars.
Congo Brazzaville suffered a 3-2 defeat to South Sudan which eliminates them from potential qualification.
