Former AFCON champions Ghana's failure to qualify, Comoros,Mali secure Spots

Ghana’s hopes of a return to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) were dashed on Friday after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Angola, marking their failure to qualify for the 2025 tournament.

The four-time AFCON champions are now the biggest casualties of the qualification campaign, having finished bottom of Group F, four points behind second-place Sudan. This will be the first time Ghana has missed the AFCON finals since 2004.

Leicester City striker Jordan Ayew had given Ghana the lead in the 18th minute in Luanda, but Angola’s Ambrosini ‘Zini’ Salvador equalised in the 64th minute, securing the draw for the already-qualified Group F leaders.

Despite a strong performance in their penultimate match, Ghana’s absence from the tournament was confirmed with one round left to play.

In contrast, minnows Comoros pulled off a dramatic qualification by securing a 2-1 win over Gambia, thanks to a last-minute goal from Myziane Maolida. The island nation, which shocked Tunisia last month, overcame an early deficit to book their place in Morocco for the tournament.

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Zambia also confirmed their qualification with a 1-0 victory over defending champions Ivory Coast in Ndola. Kennedy Musonda’s first-half goal was enough to hand the Zambians a crucial win, as the Ivorians suffered a second consecutive defeat in Group G, raising questions about their form ahead of the finals.

Mali secured their place in the 2025 AFCON with a tense 1-0 win over Mozambique in Maputo. Kamory Doumbia scored the only goal of the match, ensuring Mali’s 10th straight qualification for the continental tournament. Mozambique still have a chance to qualify with a draw in their final match against Guinea-Bissau.

Zimbabwe also sealed their qualification despite a 1-1 draw with Kenya. The draw meant Zimbabwe advanced from Group J while eliminating Kenya, with Tawanda Maswanhise putting Zimbabwe ahead in the first half before Jonah Ayunga’s equaliser.

Elsewhere, Botswana’s qualification hopes were dealt a blow after they were held 1-1 by Mauritania, leaving them with a tough final match against Egypt.

South Africa replaced Uganda at the top of Group K, defeating them 2-0 in Kampala, with both goals coming from substitutes Thapelo Morena and Patrick Maswanganyi.