The second round of the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers kicks off on Sunday, with exciting fixtures spread across the continent as teams battle for a place in Morocco’s showcase event.
With 24 matches scheduled, national teams will look to position themselves for qualification, with a top-two finish in their groups essential to secure a spot in Africa’s biggest football tournament.
The road to Morocco 2025 resumes after a thrilling opening round that saw a mix of shocks and expected results.
Group favorites like Nigeria, Cameroon, and Côte d’Ivoire are looking to solidify their dominance, while strong teams like Ghana and Senegal will be eager to recover from stumbles in their opening fixtures.
Senegal to bounce back against Burundi
Senegal, the 2021 AFCON champions, find themselves in an unexpectedly challenging position after a surprising 1-1 draw at home to Burkina Faso. The Teranga Lions will be desperate to bounce back when they face Burundi, who currently top Group L after an impressive 3-2 away win against Malawi. Senegal manager Aliou Cissé will be looking to stars like Sadio Mané to lead the charge in what promises to be a crucial encounter for the reigning champions. "We know the importance of this match," Cissé stated. Burundi, currently leading Group L, will be no pushovers, having shown resilience in their opening win. Ghana, still reeling from a shock 1-0 defeat to Angola, face a must-win situation against Niger. The Black Stars' coach, Otto Addo, will be under pressure to deliver a result and revive Ghana's qualification campaign.
Nigeria face Rwanda in key Group D encounter
Nigeria, buoyed by their comfortable 3-0 victory over Benin, travel to Rwanda with confidence. The Super Eagles' attack, spearheaded by Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, will be keen to maintain their goal-scoring form. However, Rwanda, coming off a hard-fought draw with Libya, will be no easy opponents on home soil.
Elsewhere, Morocco, already qualified as hosts but participating in the qualifiers, face Lesotho in what should be a straightforward encounter for the Atlas Lions. However, coach Walid Regragui is taking nothing for granted: "Every match is an opportunity to improve and maintain our competitive edge. We respect Lesotho and will approach the game with utmost seriousness."
Cameroon eye another win against Zimbabwe
One of the most intriguing fixtures sees Zimbabwe host Cameroon in a Group F clash that could have significant implications for qualification. Zimbabwe's new coach, Michael Nees, expressed satisfaction with his team's goalless draw against Kenya in their opener, particularly praising the performance of Khama Billiat, who came out of international retirement for the campaign. "Khama was excellent for us," Nees commented. "His experience and quality will be crucial against a strong Cameroon side." The Indomitable Lions, having secured a narrow 1-0 win over Namibia, will be looking to assert their dominance in the group.
Botswana brace for Egypt test
In Group C, Botswana face a daunting task against Egypt after losing their opener to Mauritania. Botswana's coach, Didier Gomes Da Rosa, remains optimistic despite acknowledging his team's underdog status. "We are the little thumb that wants to grow," he said. "Against Egypt, we must show progress in the final third and maintain our tempo." Defending champions Côte d'Ivoire look to build on their opening win against Zambia when they host Chad. The Elephants are determined to top their group and maintain momentum.
As the qualifiers heat up, the mix of established powerhouses and ambitious underdogs promises an exciting round of matches. With only the top two teams from each group (excluding Morocco's group) advancing to the finals, every point is crucial in the race for AFCON 2025 qualification.