AFCON 2025 (Q): final matchday tension as 5 places remain up for grabs

Group C: Botswana vs Mauritania, the final stretch

Botswana, who have not played at the AFCON since 2012, are on the verge of a remarkable achievement. Thanks to their two wins over Cape Verde in October and a hard-fought draw against Mauritania on Friday, the Zebras have their destiny in their own hands. They play in Egypt on Tuesday, and a draw will be enough to qualify. Mauritania, for their part, must beat Cape Verde, already eliminated, and hope Botswana lose to snatch the ticket, thanks to a better head-to-head record.

Group D: a three-way showdown under high tension between Benin, Rwanda and Libya

In Group D, Benin sit second, but qualification remains uncertain. To go through, the Cheetahs must avoid defeat against Libya on Monday. A loss would mean outright elimination. For Libya, hope lies in a win that would wipe out their 2-1 defeat in the first leg. They also need Rwanda not to beat Nigeria, who have already qualified. The Rwandans, for their part, are hoping for a Beninese defeat, a necessary condition for their qualification. This group therefore remains wide open.

Read also: AFCON 2025 (Q): the programme for the final matchday

Group F: Sudan vs Niger, an unexpected duel

Against all expectations, Ghana are already out of contention in this group, and the last ticket will be decided between Sudan and Niger. The Crocodiles of the Nile, who did not take part in the last AFCON, will qualify if they do not lose to Angola, already qualified, on Monday. Niger, for their part, must beat Ghana and hope for a Sudanese defeat to qualify on a better head-to-head record.

Group I: Mozambique vs Guinea-Bissau, a final under pressure

It is a genuine play-off that Guinea-Bissau and Mozambique will contest on Tuesday in Bissau. Three points clear, the Mozambicans can afford a draw, or even a one-goal defeat, provided they score. By contrast, Guinea-Bissau must win to qualify. A 1-0 victory or a win by at least two goals is needed to overtake Mozambique on the head-to-head record.

Group H: Guinea vs Tanzania, the crucial clash of this final matchday

The must-watch game is undoubtedly the one between Guinea and Tanzania. Thanks to a goal in the 92nd minute from Sehrou Guirassy against DR Congo, the Syli National keep second place in Group H, two points ahead of the Taifa Stars. To qualify, Guinea can settle for a draw on Tuesday. Tanzania, on the other hand, must win to claim their place in a group where every point counts. The fiery atmosphere in Dar es Salaam promises to make this a particularly difficult game for the Guineans.

These final qualifying matches for AFCON 2025 promise intense contests with uncertain outcomes. The suspense remains for these nations who dream of joining the elite of African football in Morocco.