AFCONQ 2025: Benin, Rwanda close gap on Nigeria as Sudan stun Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire stumble against Sierra Leone

Nigeria remain top of Group D in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, despite their matchday four fixture against Libya being postponed due to a hostage crisis at the airport, Soccernet.ng reports. 

However, the gap at the top has narrowed, with Benin and Rwanda making strides in the race for qualification.

Benin Republic, fresh off a 3-0 win over Rwanda last week, suffered a 2-1 defeat in the return leg in Kigali on Tuesday.

Still, Gernot Rohr’s Benin side sit second in Group D with six points, just one behind leaders Nigeria. Rwanda, with five points, remain firmly in contention for a qualification spot.

Libya, still at the bottom of the group, have just one point from three matches.

Elsewhere, Gabon boosted their qualification hopes with a 2-0 away victory over Lesotho, thanks to goals from Shavy Babicka and Rody Junior Effaghe.

Meanwhile, Egypt secured their place in Morocco 2025 with a 1-0 win over Mauritania.

Substitute Ibrahim Adel scored the decisive goal in the 85th minute to seal the Pharaohs’ fourth consecutive win in the qualifiers.

Angola also made it four straight victories, edging Niger 1-0 to secure their 10th AFCON appearance.

With Angola’s qualification assured, the second spot in Group E is now up for grabs between Sudan and Ghana.

Sudan strengthened their chances with a crucial 2-0 win over the Black Stars on Tuesday.

Ahmed Al Tash and Abdel-Rahman scored within three minutes in the second half, leaving Ghana on the brink of missing the tournament.

Sudan, on seven points, need only to avoid defeat in one of their two remaining games to secure qualification.

Sierra Leone pulled off a shock 1-0 victory over reigning African champions Côte d’Ivoire at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Monrovia.

Amadou Bakayoko’s late strike earned the Leone Stars their first win of the campaign, though Ivory Coast remain top of Group G with nine points.

Zambia hold second place with seven points after a narrow 1-0 win over Chad.

DR Congo joined the list of qualifiers with their fourth straight win, a 2-0 triumph over Tanzania.

Group L’s qualification has already been settled, with Burkina Faso and Senegal, both on 10 points, sealing their places.

Sadio Mané’s stoppage-time goal gave Senegal a 1-0 win over Malawi, completing a double after their 4-1 victory last week.

In Group K, Uganda secured a 2-0 win away to South Sudan, while Congo and South Africa played out a 1-1 draw.

Nations Qualified for AFCON 2025:

• Egypt
• Algeria
• Angola
• DR Congo
• Cameroon
• Burkina Faso
• Senegal
• Morocco (hosts)