AFCON 2025 Draw: Ghana Misses Qualification for the First Time in 21 Years as 24 Teams Prepare for Tournament
The draw for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) took place at the Mohamed V National Theatre in Rabat, Morocco, revealing the 24 teams that will compete in the tournament from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. Unfortunately for Ghana, the four-time AFCON champions, they failed to qualify for the tournament for the first time in 21 years1.
Groupings and Key Matches
The draw divided the teams into six groups of four, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stage, along with the four best third-placed teams. Here are the groups:
- Group A: Morocco (hosts), Mali, Zambia, Comoros
- Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe
- Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania
- Group D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana
- Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan
- Group F: Côte d’Ivoire (defending champions), Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique
Exciting Matches Ahead
The tournament promises to be an exciting one, with several high-profile matches on the horizon. Hosts Morocco will kick off the tournament against Comoros in Group A, while Egypt, with star player Mohamed Salah, will face South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe in Group B2. Nigeria will take on Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania in Group C, and Senegal will go head-to-head with DR Congo, Benin, and Botswana in Group D.
Ghana’s Absence and Future Prospects
Ghana’s absence from the tournament is a significant blow to their football fans, who have enjoyed a strong presence in AFCON over the years. The team will now focus on regaining their spot in future tournaments and rebuilding their squad for upcoming challenges.
