Focus turns to TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers

The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers will officially kick-off on Wednesday with several matches on card.

Four teams from the CECAFA Zone will be in action with the Amavubi of Rwanda facing hosts Libya at the Tripoli Stadium in a Group D match, while Sudan host Niger in a Group F tie at the newly renovated Juba Stadium in South Sudan.

Torsten Frank Spitter, the Rwanda coach has made it clear that they need to start well in the qualifiers. “We are fully prepared for the match. We believe in our chances and trust our players. We seek to achieve victory despite the difficulty of the task, in order to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations,” added Spitter.

Taifa Stars of Tanzania, the only team to play at the last AFCON held in Ivory Coast will also play host to Ethiopia in a Group H encounter at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam. The match promises to be a tough contest since the two teams know each other well enough.

On Thursday all eyes in the CECAFA Zone will focus on the Group K match between Congo Brazzaville and South Sudan to be played at the Stade Alphonse Massemba-Debat in Brazzaville, the same day Burundi play away against Malawi in a Group K match at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.

Uganda Cranes, the highly ranked team by FIFA in the Zone will be in action away to South Africa in Group K match at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg on September 6^th, the same day Kenya host Zimbabwe in a Group J match to be played at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole in Kampala, Uganda.

Paul Put, Uganda’s coach will be hoping to see his team make a good start in the campaign before they host Congo Brazzaville in a few days in Kampala.   

A total of 48 nations drawn in 12 groups of 4 will kick start the qualifiers, with the top two finishers in the eleven (11) groups that do not involve tournament hosts Morocco, set to gain qualification to the competition.

Fixture for CECAFA teams

September 4

Libya Vs Rwanda

Sudan Vs Niger

Tanzania Vs Ethiopia

September 5

Congo Brazzaville Vs South Sudan

Malawi Vs Burundi

September 6

Kenya Vs Zimbabwe

South Africa Vs Uganda