Photo Credit: Fédération de Football des Comores social media
2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying kicks into high gear on Friday with ten clashes, many with crucial implications for teams who are still fighting for qualification to the finals in Morocco. Some of Africa's top footballing nations are in action today including South Africa, Egypt, Ivory Coast and Morocco while countries like Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Ghana fight for essential points while locked in fierce battles for second place in their respective groups. Finally, The Gambia and Comoros clash with second place at stake in Group A.
Pan-Africa Football will update this article throughout the day as results and events come in from around the continent. Read our updates from the matches on Thursday and Wednesday below to catch up on the international window as well.
Highlight of the Day: Comoros score a dramatic late winner from Myziane Maolida to defeat The Gambia and secure qualification
13:00 GMT
Group C: Botswana vs. Mauritania (Francistown, Botswana)
Group K: Uganda vs. South Africa (Kampala, Uganda)
Botswana have an excellent opportunity to secure second place and potentially qualification in Group C at home against Mauritania with a win necessary due to their final match being at Egypt. In Group K, Kampala is buzzing ahead of the duel between the Uganda Cranes and Bafana Bafana of South Africa who are both playing for top spot after qualification was confirmed with Congo's defeat at South Sudan.
HT:
Botswana 1-1 Mauritania
Uganda 0-0 South Africa
An electric start to the match in Botswana where the hosts replied through Gilbert Baruti soon after a thunderous strike from Mauritania star Aboubakary Koïta. In Kampala there have been limited opportunities with Bafana Bafana looking more likely to score. Second halves in both matches have kicked off.
FT:
Botswana 1-1 Mauritania
Uganda 0-2 South Africa
Disappointing results for the home sides in the early matches. Botswana remain in second place in Group C but now may need a result in Egypt on the final matchday. Mauritania are within reach of the Zebras three points back and hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over Botswana with a home fixture against Cape Verde remaining. In the Ugandan capital of Kampala, South Africa overtake the hosts to snatch top spot in Group K with a strong performance in their 2-0 victory away from home.
Highlights
Uganda 0-2 South Africa (Credit: FUFA Media)
Botswana 1-1 Mauritania
16:00 GMT
Group C: Cape Verde vs. Egypt (Praia, Cape Verde)
Group I: Eswatini vs. Guinea-Bissau (Mbombela, South Africa)
Group I: Mozambique vs. Mali (Maputo, Mozambique)
Group G: Zambia vs. Ivory Coast (Ndola, Zambia)
Group J: Zimbabwe vs. Kenya (Johannesburg, South Africa)
Several important matches will be played during a busy late afternoon slate as Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau and Kenya fight to stay in the picture for qualification. Mozambique and Mali duel in a critical Group I clash to determine first place with Guinea-Bissau needing a victory in South Africa against bottom side Eswatini to keep the pressure on Mozambique and Mali. Zambia will secure qualification if they defeat Ivory Coast at home but anything less than victory means a tight finish with a fixture away from home against Sierra Leone looming.
HT:
Cape Verde 0-1 Egypt
Eswatini 0-0 Guinea-Bissau
Mozambique 0-1 Mali
Zambia 1-0 Ivory Coast
Zimbabwe 1-0 Kenya
A heavily rotated Egypt side have taken the lead at Cape Verde, leaving the Blue Sharks in danger of elimination if the result holds in Praia. Zimbabwe and Zambia each took a major step closer to securing qualification, now holding halftime leads in their matches. If the results hold they are qualified to Morocco 2025. Mali also would qualify as Group I winners if the result holds after taking a halftime lead at Mozambique, who remain three points ahead of third placed Guinea-Bissau according to the live results.
FT:
Cape Verde 1-1 Egypt
Eswatini 1-1 Guinea-Bissau
Mozambique 0-1 Mali
Zambia 1-0 Ivory Coast
Zimbabwe 1-1 Kenya
COSAFA nations Zambia and Zimbabwe are qualified after getting the results they needed, a draw for Zimbabwe with Kenya and a home victory for Zambia over defending AFCON champions Ivory Coast in Ndola.
Meanwhile in Group I, a massive victory away from home in Maputo has qualified Mali for the Africa Cup of Nations and clinched top spot. A late equalizer from Carlos Mané against Eswatini saved Guinea-Bissau from elimination and Os Djurtus can overtake Mozambique for second place in Group I if they defeat the Mambas by three goals at home in their final match. Cape Verde equalized against Egypt in the second half with a penalty kick from captain Ryan Mendes but remain three points back of second placed Botswana in Group C, eliminating them from qualifying contention due to Botswana holding the edge in the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Highlights
Zambia 1-0 Ivory Coast (Credit: FAZ TV)
Mozambique 0-1 Mali
Cape Verde 1-1 Egypt
Eswatini 1-1 Guinea-Bissau
Zimbabwe 1-1 Kenya (Credit: KTN News Kenya)
19:00 GMT
Group F: Angola vs. Ghana (Luanda, Angola)
Group B: Gabon vs. Morocco (Franceville, Gabon)
Group A: The Gambia vs. Comoros (Berkane, Morocco)
Ghanaian supporters received a boost to their faint hopes of still qualifying for the AFCON but now their Black Stars will need to defeat Group F leaders Angola in a hostile environment away from home. Tunisia got a crucial victory yesterday in Group A, leaving The Gambia and Comoros to fight it out for second place in Morocco. Comoros currently lead by a point but have the more favorable final day fixture against last placed and eliminated Madagascar if they lose today while The Gambia will have to travel to Tunisia who may be in a charitable mood.
HT:
Angola 0-1 Ghana
Gabon 1-3 Morocco
The Gambia 1-1 Comoros
More madness in the last slate of matches of the day with goals coming rapidly across all matches. Ghana took the lead in Luanda with a brilliant long distance free kick by captain Jordan Ayew and goalkeeper Abdul Manaf Nurudeen saved a penalty kick from Angola forward M'Bala Nzola in a match the Black Stars must win. The Gambia and Comoros are neck and neck in a criticial match to determine second place in Group A while a positive start from hosts Gabon quickly turned into turmoil as Morocco scored three unanswered goals. However, Gabon are qualified from Group B thanks to the efforts of Lesotho who defeated Central African Republic earlier in the window.
FT:
Angola 1-1 Ghana
Gabon 1-5 Morocco
The Gambia 1-2 Comoros
Dramatic scenes in Morocco as Comoros find a late headed goal from Myziane Maolida to defeat The Gambia and clinch qualification for their second AFCON finals ahead of the Scorpions. Ghana are out after Angola came back to equalize with a second half header from Zini and in Gabon the Atlas Lions of Morocco showed their class with five unanswered goals following an early Denis Bouanga strike for the hosts.
Highlights
Angola 1-1 Ghana (Goals)
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