AFCON: Countries who have qualified and on the verge

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers are underway, with 48 countries competing to secure a spot in the tournament, which will be held in Ivory Coast from January to February 2024. Only 24 teams will make it to the tournament, with the top two from each of the 12 groups qualifying.

Currently, Nigeria and Guinea Bissau are in pole position to qualify from Group A, with 9 and 7 points respectively. They are followed by Sierra Leone and Sao Tome and Principe.

Burkina Faso and Cape Verde lead Group B with 9 and 4 points respectively, while Eswatini and Togo sit in third and fourth positions.

Group C is still open, with Cameroon leading the group with 4 points from two matches, while Namibia sits in second position with 2 points. Burundi is in third place with 1 point, and Kenya is in fourth place with no points.

In Group D, Egypt and Guinea are tied in first place with 6 points each from three games. Malawi and Ethiopia are in third and fourth positions with 3 points each.

Ghana, Central African Republic, and Angola are battling it out in Group E, with Ghana currently in first place with 8 points, followed by the Central African Republic in second place with 7 points, and Angola in third place with 5 points.

Algeria has already qualified for the tournament from Group F, having secured 12 points from four games. Tanzania is in second place with 4 points, followed by Niger and Uganda.

Mali leads Group G with 9 points from three games, followed by Congo with 6 points. Gambia and South Sudan both have 3 points each.

Group H is still open between Zambia, Ivory Coast, and Comoros. Zambia leads the group with 9 points, followed by Ivory Coast with 7 points, and Comoros with 3 points. Lesotho is in last place with 1 point.

Gabon leads Group I with 7 points, followed by Mauritania with 4 points. Sudan and DR Congo are in third and fourth place with 3 points each.

In Group J, Tunisia leads with 7 points, followed by Equatorial Guinea with 6 points, and Libya with 3 points. Botswana is in last place with 1 point.

Morocco is set to qualify from Group K, having secured 6 points from two games. Liberia and South Africa are in second and third place with 1 point each, while Zimbabwe is in last place with no points.

Finally, in Group L, Senegal and Mozambique are in the driving seat to qualify, with 9 and 4 points respectively. Rwanda and Benin are in third and fourth place with 2 and 1 points respectively.

The remaining AFCON qualifying fixtures will take place between March and September 2023, with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the tournament. Fans across the continent will be eagerly watching to see who makes it through to the prestigious tournament in Ivory Coast next year.