16 Nations Qualified To Take Part In The 2017 Africa Cup Of Nations
Over the past weekend the final qualifying matches took place for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will take place in Gabon this coming January.
With qualifying now complete, the 16 teams that will be present in Gabon to compete for the title of Africa’s best are now known, and final preparations can begin.
The 2015 winners, Cote D’Ivoire, will be looking to defend their title come January, but the other 15 nations involved in the competition will have something to say about that.
Here are the 16 African national teams that have qualified to take part in the 2017 AFCON tournament.
Sources: BBCSport, SuperSport, CAFOnline.
Gabon
As the host nation Gabon automatically qualifies, and is the only country with an automatic berth in the competition. Star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be the man to watch for the Panthers.
Senegal
As the only team in qualifying to secure a perfect record of six wins from six, their maximum points tally not only qualified the Teranga Lions for the 2017 AFCON, it places them as one of the favourites to emerge from Gabon with the title.
Cameroon
The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon are the reason why South Africa’s Bafana Bafana will watch the competition from afar, as they topped Group M ahead of the South Africans, Mauritania and Gambia.
Egypt
The Pharaohs of Egypt have an incredible AFCON record, with seven title wins making them the most successful nation at the competition, but recent times have seen them struggle to qualify. They have done well this time around, disposing of Nigeria to top their group and earn a ticket to Gabon.
Ghana
The Ghanaian Black Stars are always among the favourites for the continental crown, and they were unfortunate not to win the title at the end of the last competition, where the cruel lottery of penalties saw the outcome fall in favour of rivals Cote D’Ivoire.
Cote D’Ivoire
The 2015 AFCON winners will be defending their African crown in Gabon this January, and many would bet on them being able to retain the title they earned in a penalty shootout victory over Ghana just under two years ago.
Uganda
The Ugandans have made all of east Africa proud by securing their first AFCON qualification in 39 years. The Uganda Cranes are also the only team from east Africa who will be present at the competition, with Kenya, Ethiopia and Sudan failing to qualify.
Algeria
Africa’s top ranked side according to the FIFA rankings will no doubt be one of the favourites to emerge victorious from the 2017 Nations Cup, as they have an excellent side capable of delivering at tournament level.
Morocco
Morocco’s qualification for the 2017 event was already wrapped up before the final round of games in Group F, as they were guaranteed to finish top. The Atlas Lions have often been gifted with excellent sides that have enjoyed superb technical ability, but they have failed to impress on the AFCON stage. Perhaps 2017 will be different.
Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso booked their place at the 2017 Nations Cup finals on the final matchday, after beating Botswana 2-1 at the Stade du 4 Août in Ouagadougou on Sunday afternoon. The Stallions of Burkina Faso reached the final before losing to Nigeria in 2013, and they will be aiming to go one better in 2017.
Tunisia
The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia will be present in Gabon come January, and will be accompanied by a strong contingent of north African teams, with Egypt, Morocco and Algeria joining the Tunisians.
Guinea-Bissau
The national team from the small former Portuguese colony, Guinea-Bissau, will be travelling to Gabon to take part in their first ever Africa Cup of Nations in 2017, having managed to top their group ahead of Congo, Zambia and Kenya.
Mali
The Eagles of Mali topped Group C in qualifying to reach the 2017 AFCON stage, overcoming Benin, Equatorial Guinea and South Sudan in the process. They are a powerful side that often surprises at such tournaments.
Zimbabwe
Without the likes of Zambia and South Africa qualified to take part in the 2017 AFCON, Zimbabwe takes the responsibility of representing southern Africa at the competition next year.
Togo
The Togolese managed to snatch qualification on the final day thanks to their position as the one of the two best second-placed finishers in the 13 groups, but that will not matter come January, when Emmanuel Adebayor and company will be fired up to give their best.
Congo DR
After winning the 2015 African Nations Championship (CHAN) competition, the Democratic Republic of Congo have qualified to take part in the flagship African tournament.