HEAVYWEIGHTS Ghana and Cameroon, as well as West African hopefuls Republic of Benin, led by former Nigeria head coach Gernot Rohr, have all taken their hunt for spots in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations billed for Cote d’Ivoire to the last matchday.
While the likes of Nigeria, champions Senegal, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Mali and Zambia have already booked their tickets to the continental showpiece billed for January and February 2024, there are still places up for grabs.
The qualifying series is in its final round and it is last chance saloon for the Indomitable Lions and the Black Stars, both champions multiple times, and Rohr, who is out to prove he can succeed with the minnows of Benin after over five testing years with the Super Eagles.
Most of the 24 places for the tournament have been taken up, with nine spots still open, and Naija Times breaks down the final round of qualifiers group by group…
GROUP A
As expected, Nigeria’s Super Eagles lead this group having qualified with one game to spare.
Jose Peseiro’s side host bottom team Sao Tome and Principe on Sunday in Uyo needing a draw to guarantee finishing as group winners.
Guinea Bissau, who scored a huge upset by beating Nigeria in Abuja, are also through in second place, and the Djurtus can still win the group if they beat Sierra Leone and the Super Eagles suffer another shock home defeat to Sao Tome.
Qualified: Nigeria and Guinea Bissau
Eliminated: Sierra Leone and Sao Tome and Principe
GROUP B
This group has also been settled, with Burkina Faso and Cape Verde, both on 10 points, securing the two tickets.
Togo and Eswatini are out of contention and will be playing for pride only when they face Cape Verde and Burkina Faso this weekend.
Qualified: Burkina Faso and Cape Verde
Eliminated: Togo and Eswatini
GROUP C
Cameroon, who have welcomed back previously retired Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, need to win at home against Burundi next Tuesday to secure their spot.
It is currently a complicated situation in the three-team group, with Namibia (five points) on top having completed their fixtures.
If Burundi (four points) and Cameroon (four points) draw, each of the teams would have five points each, with only two to qualify.
To avoid a mathematical headache, Cameroon must win and eliminate Burundi, who also know an away victory would see them through.
Qualified: None
Eliminated: None
GROUP D
Runners-up in the last edition Egypt are through with 12 points, along with Guinea, who are three points adrift.
Malawi and Ethiopia, both on four points, are out of reckoning. Egypt host Ethiopia on Friday needing a draw to ensure they win the group.
Qualified: Egypt and Guinea
Eliminated: Malawi and Ethiopia
GROUP E
This is another complicated group in which three teams are battling for the two available slots.
Ghana lead with nine points, one ahead of Angola, who are also one better off than the Central African Republic, with Madagascar (two points) the only team already eliminated.
Angola will play their final qualifier at home against Madagascar on Thursday knowing that a win would take them through to Cote d’Ivoire, while Ghana need a draw as they welcome Central African Republic on the same day.
The Black Stars could be eliminated on goal difference if Angola beat Madagascar and the Ghanaians lose in Kumasi to the Central African Republic.
Qualified: None
Eliminated: Madagascar
GROUP F
Algeria, with the maximum 15 points, have already secured their spot in Côte d’Ivoire, with the second ticket still open to Tanzania and Uganda.
The Taifa Stars, second with seven points, travel to Annaba to face Algeria on Thursday, while Uganda (four points) must beat Niger and hope Tanzania lose by a big margin to the Fennecs.
Qualified: Algeria
Eliminated: Republic of Niger
GROUP G
Mali, with 12 points, are through, with second place to be decided between Gambia (nine points) and Congo (six points).
The Scorpions of Gambia are all but assured of their ticket as they only need to avoid a heavy defeat at home to Congo on the final matchday on Sunday.
South Sudan, who have three points, are already eliminated.
Qualified: Mali
Eliminated: South Sudan
GROUP H
This group is straightforward, with both Zambia (12 points) and hosts Cote d’Ivoire claiming the two tickets.
Revelations at the last edition Comoros, who have six points, will not be returning to the tournament, along with Lesotho (one point).
Qualified: Zambia and Côte d’Ivoire
Eliminated: Comoros and Lesotho
GROUP I
In this wide open group, all the teams are in with a chance to qualify on the final matchday.
Democratic Republic of Congo (nine points), Mauritania (seven points), Gabon (seven points) and Sudan (six points) have all set up a nail-biting finale for spots in Cote d’Ivoire.
Leaders DR Congo are away to Sudan and Mauritania visit Gabon, with both games billed for Saturday.
A win for DR Congo against Sudan would confirm the former’s qualification, while a draw would mean they would depend on the outcome of the match between Gabon and Mauritania.
In the other fixture, it is winner takes all as the victorious team between Mauritania and Gabon would qualify.
Qualified: None
Eliminated: None
GROUP J
In this group, Equatorial Guinea (12 points) and Tunisia (10 points) have sealed their spots, with Botswana (four points) and Libya (three points) out.
Qualified: Equatorial Guinea and Tunisia
Eliminated: Botswana and Libya
GROUP K
The second three-team group has already been declared, with South Africa (seven points) and Qatar 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Morocco (six points) beating Liberia to the two slots.
Qualified: South Africa and Morocco
Eliminated: Liberia
GROUP L
Champions Senegal (13 points) are already through but the second spot will be decided between Mozambique (seven points) and Gernot Rohr’s Republic of Benin (five points).
Mozambique would feel it is in their hands as they need only a draw when they host Benin on Saturday.
Rwanda, with just two points, have since crashed out.
Qualified: Senegal
Eliminated: Rwanda
PHOTO: Ghana training ahead of Thursday’s AFCON qualifier against Central African Republic in Kumasi.
