Sports

2021 Afcon Qualifiers: A Look at the 14 Countries That Have Reached Cameroon

Friday, March 26, 2021 at 1:03 PM by Phumzile Ngcatshe

- With the race for spots at next year's Afcon tournament hotting up, Briefly.co.za takes a looks at the list of those that have qualified

- Senegal, Egypt and current champions Algeria are through while Comoros and Gambia are set to make their debuts

- On the other hand, Bafana Bafana are under pressure to book a spot and cannot afford to lose in Sudan on Sunday

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With Bafana Bafana having squandered an opportunity to wrap up their qualifications for the 2021 Caf Africa Cup of Nations with a win against Ghana, seven countries have already booked their spots in Cameroon.

Coach Molefi Ntseki's troops drew 1-1 against the Black Stars at FNB Stadium on Thursday evening but they still have a chance to reach the continental showpiece when they visit Sudan on Sunday.

However, their mission is to avoid a defeat at all costs and ensure they secure a draw or a win because the Falcons of Jediane are chasing the full three points to make it to the tournament.

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Bafana Bafana are under pressure to avoid defeat against Sudan on Sunday. Image: Twitter
Source: Twitter

In the wake of Thursday's rounds of qualifiers, seven nations have booked their spots ahead of the 33rd edition of the football extravaganza slated for January and February next year but Ntseki is still confident as he told SABC TV.

"In football, there's something very interesting, if you look we had more possession, very good opportunities but unfortunately we ended up with a draw and I think going to Sudan it's for them to lose.

"Because they will be coming at us and we already have a plan for that, they have to play to win, a draw is not going to help them.

"So in this case they will have to come at us and coming to us we have very good players who can play on a transition and get us a win."

Known as the Lions of Teranga, Senegal was the first country to qualify back in November last year but they will still meet Congo on Friday.

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To date, 13 other nations have joined the West Africans (Senegal) and Ghana is part of that list as the draw against the South Africans was enough to qualify.

On the other hand, the likes of Gambia and Comoros have had a historical campaign as they have booked their tickets for the first time.

Among other teams that have qualified are the Pharaohs of Egypt, they and have joined another North African giant Tunisia while Cameroon qualifies by virtue of being a host.

The Eagles of Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Zimbabwe, Equatorial Guinea, and current Afon holders, Algeria have also sealed their spots.

In other news, Briefly.co.za reported that the 1996 African champions faced Ghana and it could have been far worse, if not for Percy Tau.

Despite some poor defence from the visitors, South Africa failed to capitalise on an early goal, but it was Tau who later scored to salvage a point for the hosts.