Three More Nations Clinch Qualification for 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
On Saturday, the path to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) became clearer as three additional countries secured their spots in the tournament. Mozambique, Mauritania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo all booked their tickets to the finals, which are set to kick off in Ivory Coast on January 13. However, disappointment loomed for Gabon, led by striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, as they narrowly missed out on qualification.
With three spots yet to be determined, the race for Afcon glory intensifies.
Mozambique’s triumphant return to the Africa Cup of Nations, their first since 2010, came in a thrilling match against Benin in Maputo, Group L. Knowing that a draw would suffice, Mozambique faced a Benin side in desperate need of a win. Benin got off to a strong start, taking a 1-0 lead through a Steve Mounie penalty after 20 minutes. However, the hosts rallied with goals from Witi and Ricardo Guimaraes to go 2-1 ahead. Benin, determined to secure qualification, equalized through Jodel Dossou, setting up a tense finish. In the 95th minute, Clesio Bauque’s dramatic winner sealed Mozambique’s place in the tournament and saw them join Group L leaders Senegal as qualifiers.
In Group I, where all four nations had a chance to qualify, it was the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mauritania who emerged victorious, leaving Sudan and Gabon behind. The match between Mauritania and Gabon in Nouakchott was marked by red cards for both teams. Gabon faced adversity as goalkeeper Jean Noel Amonome was sent off for violent conduct just five minutes into the game. Goals from Hemeya Tanjy and Aboubakar Kamara gave the hosts a comfortable 2-0 lead, but late in the match, Mauritania’s El Hassan Houbeib was also dismissed for two yellow cards. Despite Didier Ndong pulling one back for Gabon in the 91st minute, Mauritania held on to secure their place in Ivory Coast, denying Aubameyang and his team.
In Kinshasa, DR Congo claimed the top spot in Group I with a 2-0 victory over Sudan. Theo Bongonda struck early, finding the net after just eight minutes, and Fiston Mayele added a second late in the game.
The games on Saturday were overshadowed by a devastating earthquake in Morocco that claimed the lives of over 1,000 people. As a result, the Group K match between Morocco and Liberia was postponed. However, the decisive Group G game between The Gambia and Congo-Brazzaville in Marrakech is set to proceed on Sunday.
These three qualifying teams join a growing list that includes Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, and Zambia. Additionally, Ivory Coast secured automatic qualification as the tournament’s host.
The Elephants concluded their Group H campaign with a 1-0 home victory over Lesotho, with Nottingham Forest’s Ibrahim Sangare scoring from a Sebastien Haller assist.
With more crucial games scheduled until September 12, including the race for a spot by Cameroon and two other nations, a total of 21 teams have now secured their places in the 24-team tournament.
