Africa Cup of Nations Preliminary Round Draw Unveiled for 2025 Qualifiers

The anticipation for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers for the 2025 tournament in Morocco reached new heights as the draw for the preliminary round took place in Cairo. This significant event occurred merely a week after the thrilling conclusion of the finals in the Ivory Coast, where the hosts emerged victorious.

The preliminary round draw sees the bottom eight ranked entrants pitted against each other in four two-legged knockout ties, slated to unfold between March 20th and 26th.

At the forefront of the draw stands Somalia, the lowest-ranked team, who will clash with Eswatini in their quest for qualification. Similarly, Sao Tome and Principe are set to face off against South Sudan in what promises to be a captivating encounter.

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Adding to the excitement are the matchups between Chad and Mauritius, as well as Djibouti squaring off against Liberia. Notably, both Liberia and Mauritius boast prior qualifications for the Africa Cup of Nations finals, adding an extra layer of intrigue to their respective fixtures.

The victors of these preliminary round duels will earn coveted berths in the group stage of the qualifiers, where they will join 44 other nations in their pursuit of tournament glory.

With the 48 participating teams set to be divided into 12 groups of four, the stage is set for a fierce competition, with only the top two teams from each group securing passage to the finals in Morocco.

Despite securing automatic qualification as hosts, Morocco will also partake in the qualifiers, ensuring an intense battle for the lone qualifying spot from their group.

While the Confederation of African Football has yet to disclose the precise date for the group phase draw or the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco aims to host the tournament in mid-2025. However, this scheduling may clash with the newly-expanded Club World Cup in the United States, presenting a logistical challenge for organizers.

As the journey towards the Africa Cup of Nations finals unfolds, the qualifiers are set to conclude by the year’s end. Spanning three international windows in September, October, and November, the qualifiers will feature two rounds of matches in each window, culminating in the crowning of the teams destined for tournament glory.

With anticipation building and excitement mounting, football enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await the unfolding drama and spectacle of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, as nations vie for the opportunity to etch their names in the annals of African football history.