The 15 berths of the 24 available spots at the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) are already secured with African football’s finest preparing to dazzle on the grand stage in Morocco.
On Thursday, matchday 5 of the qualifiers brought thrilling results, as six more nations — Nigeria, Tunisia, South Africa, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon — punched their tickets to the continent’s most prestigious football competition.
Harambee Stars will face Zimbabwe in an AFCON 2025 qualifier in South Africa on Friday and here is all you need to know about the match and how to catch the action in Polokwane.
These six teams join an already impressive lineup of African football powerhouses and emerging challengers.
Host nation Morocco, guaranteed a spot by virtue of hosting the event, leads the pack alongside Senegal and Algeria, who breezed through their qualification campaign with consistent dominance.
Predicted Harambee Stars line up as they prepare to face Zimbabwe in their must-win 2025 AFCON qualifier in South Africa on Friday.
The tournament promises a rich mix of historical legacies and fresh ambitions.
Egypt, boasting a record seven AFCON titles, and Côte d’Ivoire, the reigning title holders are set to rekindle their storied rivalries on the big stage.
Adding to this blend are DR Congo, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea, three teams hungry to leave their mark in Morocco and eager to make deep runs into the tournament.
South Africa’s qualification is particularly notable marking their return to the AFCON fold for the second time in a row.
Kenya have played Zimbabwe thrice this year, winning two and drawing one, but Firat is a worried man ahead of the side's must-win encounter on Friday to even stand a chance of qualification.
Similarly, Uganda and Gabon have reignited hopes of a strong continental presence.
Tunisia and Nigeria, long-standing giants of African football, added their names to the growing list of confirmed participants.
Both nations are perennial AFCON contenders and bring rich histories, world-class talent, and high expectations to the tournament.
Matchday 5 matches roll on into Friday and Saturday, while the final Matchday 6 next week will determine the remaining nine teams to complete the 24-nation roster.