Here's the list of all qualified teams for the 34th edition of the TotalEnergies African cup of Nations in Cote D'Ivoire.
With the qualification of five-time African champions Cameroon on Tuesday 12th September 2023, the confirmation of Namibia as runner up of group C, a star-studded list of qualified Nations for AFCON 2023 is complete.
All Qualified Teams For TotalEnergies AFCON 2023
The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, who will be making their 21st appearance at the AFCON, defeated Burundi 3-0 in the final round of qualification games to secure the final spot, ensuring Namibia, who will be making their fourth appearance, qualifies as runners-up and becomes the final nation to book a spot in Group C.
Other big hitters who have qualified for the competition are seven-time winners Egypt, West African giants Ghana and Nigeria, and AFCON 2021 Champions Senegal.
When Will AFCON 2023 Be Played?
The 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations will be played from the 13th of January to 11th February, 2024 in the Ivory Coast.
All The Qualified Nations are:
Cote d’Ivoire (hosts), Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Congo DR, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia and Zambia
Teams to Look Out For at AFCON 2023
Alongside the usual suspects like Egypt, Nigeria and Cameroon here are some teams to look out for when AFCON 2023 kicks off:
The Teranga Lions Of Senegal
Defending Champions, Senegal will be looking to retain their title after their triumph in Cameroon two years ago.
The Teranga Lions still posses some big names like Sadio Mane, Kalidou Coulibaly and Ismaila Sarr as well as promising star Nicholas Jackson and will be eager to pick up a second continental title in Cote D'Ivoire.
Senegal finished top of Group L with 14 points, going undefeated throughout the qualifiers.
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The Atlas Lions Of Morocco
Morocco became the first side to qualify for the 2023 African Cup of Nations on Friday, March 24, 2023, following a 2-2 tie between South Africa and Liberia, the other two teams in their qualifying group K.
The Atlas Lions, who became the first African team to reach a FIFA World Cup semi-finals in Qatar last year, will attempt to replicate their performances in Cote D'Ivoire in order to win the championship.
Morocco qualified for Africa's most prestigious football tournament in a group containing Liberia and South Africa.
Despite finishing second in Group K (behind South Africa), Coach Walid Regragui's youngsters will be expected to mount a challenge for the continental title next year.
Morocco reached the quarter final last time out, but after their performances at Qatar 2022, Coach Walid's Team cannot be undermined.
The Pharaohs of Egypt
Egypt is the most successful side in AFCON history, having won the title seven times, including a hat-trick of titles between 2006 and 2010.
They've been runners-up three times (1962, 2017, and 2021) and finished third on four occasions.
The 2021 runners-up who have competed in the most tournaments (25), were defeated by Senegal in the most recent Total Energies AFCON in 2021, and also failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
The Pharaohs have since bounced back, winning five games and losing one to book their spot at the 2023 AFCON in Group D, leading with 15 points.
Egypt's expertise and tactical know-how over other teams could be used to their advantage in winning the championship.
The Desert Foxes of Algeria
After being booted out of their World Cup 2022 aspirations by Cameroon, Algeria's desert foxes have not suffered defeat since that world cup qualification heart break.
Algeria dominated Group F of the AFCON qualification process, winning five games and accruing 16 points against Niger, Uganda, and Tanzania.
The 2019 AFCON champions, who were eliminated from the 2021 Total Energies AFCON group stage after a 3-1 loss to Ivory Coast and a 1-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea, will seek to maintain their strong form in Ivory Coast in order to grab their second trophy.
The Indomitable Lions Of Cameroon
The Elephants of Cote D'Ivoire
Cote D'Ivoire has been a prominent force in Africa's football landscape for the best part of two decades.
The elephants, who have won the AFCON on two occasions (1992 and 2015), also finished second in the competition in 2006 and 2012.
The west African Nation which last hosted AFCON in 1984, is one of the countries that have hosted without winning.
Cameroon, in reality, won their first AFCON title in 1984 in Cote d'Ivoire after defeating Nigeria.
The elephants seek to follow in the footsteps of Egypt, which has hosted and won Africa's most prestigious championship.
When Will The Group Stage Draws For AFCON 2023 Be Conducted?
The Group stage draws are scheduled to take place on Thursday, October 12, 2023 in the Ivory Coast.
The tournament, one of the biggest events globally, will kick off in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, on 14th of January 2024 with a total of six stadiums in five different cities.
The final will be played at the Alassane Outtara Olympic Stadium in Epimbe on the 11th of February 2024.
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