Afcon 2025 features historic nine SADC nations

Football
Brian Munango
  • 9 Hours Ago
The stage is now set for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), with the full 24 nations qualified and ready to compete in Morocco.

This edition in January promises another exciting mix of perennial favourites, rising stars and debutants, showcasing the diversity and competitiveness of African football. Let’s take a closer look at the qualified teams and their road to the tournament.



Familiar faces and returning giants

Among the qualified teams are some of Africa’s most successful football nations.

As hosts, Morocco automatically secured qualification and will be making their 20th Afcon appearance. Their best results were champions in 1976, and runners-up in 2004.

Egypt, the most successful team in Afcon history with seven titles, will make their 26th appearance. The Pharaohs are eager to end their trophy drought since their last win in 2010.

Cameroon, five-time champions, and Nigeria, three-time titleholders, will both be vying for a return to dominance.

Senegal, the Lions of Teranga, under coach Aliou Cissé, secured top spot in their qualification group.

Ivory Coast, the reigning champions who won the 2023 tournament on home soil, head into the tournament as favourites aim to defend their title and make history by winning back-to-back Afcon trophies.



SADC dominance

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has a record nine representatives at this year’s tournament, underlining the region’s growth in football.

Zambia, champions in 2012, secured their spot and will aim to replicate their past success.

Botswana's football is on the rise as they qualified as runners-up in their group after a 12-year absence. They will make their second-ever Afcon appearance, while Comoros continues their steady rise with a second qualification.

Zimbabwe, returning after overcoming administrative issues, is set to make their sixth appearance, rejuvenated by a new generation of talent.

Four more SADC nations – South Africa, Angola, Mozambique and Tanzania – also delivered strong performances to proceed as qualifiers.

Bafana Bafana sealed top position in Group K on Tuesday with a 3-0 victory over South Sudan in Cape Town. Hugo Broos’ team has set a new national record of 19 games without defeat.



Debutants and Underdogs

This Afcon will see no tournament debutants, but teams like Botswana and Comoros, who have limited Afcon experience, will be looking to leave a mark. Their qualification underscores the increasing competitiveness of African football, where smaller nations are breaking into the big leagues.



The absent big gun

While the qualifiers brought joy to many, Ghana is prominent among the traditional powerhouses that will not feature in Morocco.

The Black Stars, four-time winners, failed to progress from their group, a major disappointment for their passionate fans. Ghana finished bottom with only three draws in their pool from which Angola and Sudan advanced.



Countdown

Afcon 2025 promises to be one of the most thrilling editions yet, with a perfect mix of historic giants, regional battles and underdog stories.

All eyes will be on Morocco in January as these 24 nations compete for African football’s ultimate prize. Who will rise to the occasion and etch their name in history? Let the countdown to Afcon 2025 begin!