By Victor Kanayo
Eight countries from March 20, 2024 will begin qualifying clashes for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
This was disclosed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Cairo Egypt.
The draws followed the successful conclusion to the 34th edition of AFCON in Cote d’ivoire earlier this month.
In the premilinary fixtures, Somalia will battle Eswatini, while Sao Tome face South Sudan.
Also, Chad will take on Mauritius, before Djibouti clash with Liberia.
According to CAF, “A total of 52 nations will be engaged for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 qualifiers.
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“For the preliminary stage of the qualifiers, a total of eight (8) lowest ranked nations as per the FIFA Rankings will compete in a home and away knockout format, where the four (4) remaining nations will then be eligible to join the 44 nations that will be engaged in the group stages of the qualifiers.
“During this stage of the qualifiers, the four lowest ranked nations will play at home first, with the return leg to be hosted by the higher ranked opposing nation.
“Both home and away fixtures of the qualifiers are scheduled to take place in the next FIFA International Break between 20 – 26 March 2024.”
The winners of this stage of the qualifiers will be qualified for the second round of the qualifying series.
