By Victor Kanayo
Up to 14 countries are sure of making it to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament after 5th round of matches played in the past few days in parts of the continent.
With the remaining matchday five games yet to happen, 10 places are still up for grabs ahead of the biennial soccer fiesta scheduled between January and February, 2024 in Cote d’ivoire.
However, there are three matches expected to happen on Tuesday, June 20, 2023.
They are Burundi vs Namibia, Ethiopia vs Malawi and Sudan vs Mauritania. At the end of 90 minutes encounter, more teams are most likely going to qualify.
Among the 14 sides that have been assured places in Cote d’ivoire aside hosts are defending champions Senegal, Nigeria, Guinea Bissau, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Egypt, Algeria, Mali, Zambia, Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Tunisia, South Africa and Morocco.
How Teams Surged Into AFCON Poll In Almost Final Push
Nigeria lately beat Sierra Leone 3-2 in the qualifiers to become one of four countries to be added to the list of finalists for next year’s tournament on Sunday.
Guinea Bissau also qualified from Group A, as Sierra Leone’s hopes of catching them were ended, while the Cape Verde Islands are through from Group B and Mali from Group G.
They join hosts Ivory Coast, holders Senegal, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Morocco, South Africa, Tunisia and Zambia in the finals in January.
Guinea Bissau, who had beaten Sao Tome and Principe on Wednesday, were then also guaranteed a top two finish and a fourth successive finals appearance.
Cape Verde, who also draw heavily on players from their migrant population in Portugal, beat Burkina Faso 3-1 at home to book their place.
Mali won 2-0 away against Congo to qualify for a ninth successive finals.
