All 24 countries that will trade tackles at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote D’Ivoire have sealed qualification for the tournament.
Five-time AFCON champions, Cameroon on Tuesday spanked Burundi 3-O to complete the star-studded list of qualified teams.
A breakdown of the qualified countries shows that 12 former AFCON champions, including three-time champions Nigeria, will be on parade come January 2024.
Hosts, Cote d’Ivoire will be leading a strong West African contingent of 11 countries, including holders Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea, Burkina Faso among others.
Tanzania representing East Africa returns for a second finals after a brave showing in the qualifiers.
The North Africans are represented by seven-time champions Egypt, World Cup semi-finalists Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria.
Egypt will be looking for an eighth unprecedented title, having reached two of the last three finals in 2017 and at the 2021 edition.
NAN reports there will be no debutants in this edition, as the continent’s football powerhouses managed to maintain and seal qualification.
The 2023 AFCON will take place from January 13 to February 11, 2024, after it was postponed from its original June, 2023 date.
Full list of 24 qualified countries are Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire (Hosts) and DR Congo.
Others are Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco and Mozambique,
Others are Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal (Title Holders), South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia and Zambia.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM SPORTING TRIBUNE
2023/2024 CAF Champions League: Enyimba, Remo suffer narrow away losses
Two-time champions, Enyimba International Football Club of Aba and Remo Star Football Club of Ikene both suffered narrow losses in their 2023/2024 CAF Champions League preliminary round first-leg matches on Sunday.
Oyo SWAN mourn two departed referees
Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Oyo State chapter has condoled with the state branch of the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA) and the football fraternity over the sudden death of two referees at the weekend.
Believe in the process, Pochettino tells fans after Chelsea’s defeat
Mauricio Pochettino has called on Chelsea fans to “believe in the process” after his side were beaten 3-1 by 10-man West Ham United in the Premier League on Sunday.
Spain defeat England 1-0 to win first Women’s World Cup
Spain won the Women’s World Cup for the first time after beating England 1-0 in the final on Sunday.
Captain Olga Carmona scored in the 29th minute, drilling in from the left of the area after England lost possession in midfield and Spain countered quickly to take advantage in the clash at Stadium Australia.