Cameroon broke South African hearts on Friday night, securing a a 1-0 victory over Mauritania at the Stade Olympique thanks to Edgar Salli’s 29th minute goal. The Indomitable Lions will now finish top of Group M, securing their qualification and forcing Mauritania, South Africa and Gambia to watch the tournament from the sidelines next year. Bafana managed a 4-0 win over Gambia in the biggest away win for the South Africans since 1992, but it was too little too late.
The Teranga Lions of Senegal have done very well during the qualification phase, and remain the only country with a perfect record after five matches. This weekend’s 2-0 Group K victory over Burundi in Bujumbura was enough to see the West Africans secure 2017 AFCON qualification, rising above Namibia, Niger and Burundi to do so.
While Egypt would not have been overly confident of their chances to reach the AFCON in 2017 after being drawn in the same group as Nigeria, the Pharaohs have managed to secure their spot at the expense of the Super Eagles. Egypt missed the last three tournaments, but will be looking to make amends in Gabon next year. Two Mohamed Salah goals earned them a 2-0 win over Tanzania to top three-team Group G. The group was without Chad after the country pulled out due to financial issues.
This Warriors of Zimbabwe managed to qualify for the 2017 competition thanks to goals from Knowledge Musona, Khama Billiat and Cuthbert Malajila, ensuring a 3-0 win over Malawi in Group L qualifier on Sunday. The victory at the National Sports Stadium in Harare saw Zimbabwe rise to 11 points, with the Warriors assured of a place in Gabon thanks to Guinea’s 1-0 loss to Swaziland in Mbabane on Sunday.
A comfortable 2-0 victory over Mauritius on Sunday made sure of the Black Stars’ 2017 AFCON qualification. The city of Belle Vue Maurel was the venue for the win which saw Ghana top Group H with 13 points and a game to spare. Goals from Andre Ayew and Christian Atsu secured the victory, and the Black Stars will surely arrive in Gabon next year as one of the teams to beat.
In one of the major surprises of the qualifying campaign, Guinea Bissau have managed to top Group E thanks to consistent performances in the face of financial issues, the lack of a professional league and the fact that their country has a population of only 1.7 million. A 3-2 victory over Zambia on Saturday prepared the way, while Congo’s 2-1 loss to Kenya on Sunday handed the minnows their first ever AFCON ticket.
Mali captain Sylla Yacouba led his troops to a 3-0 victory over South Sudan to secure qualification for the 2017 competition. Goals from Abdouly Diaby, Maiga Modibo and Moussa Doumbia allowed the Malians the opportunity to finish top of Group C.
Incredibly, the Moroccans and Algerians already secured qualification to the next Nations Cup in Gabon after only four matches. The Atlas Lions emerged as the best national team in a selection that included Sao Tome, Libya and Cape Verde, and they will feel confident that they can bring a strong team to the tournament in January. The Fennec Foxes are the best ranked African national team in the FIFA rankings. The North Africans will certainly be amongst the favourites to take the title in 2017. Group J was made up of the Seychelles, Lesotho and Ethiopia, none of which was truly a match for the Algerians.
