Group A: Nigeria recovers, Sierra Leone ambushes

Surprised in Abuja by Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria set the record straight. Moses Simon scored the only goal of the game on penalty kicks on the half-hour mark (30th), allowing Nigeria to return to the top of Group A ahead of their opponents.

Sierra Leone, for its part, remains in a position. The "Leone Stars" are only two points behind Guinea-Bissau after their victory against Sao Tome and Principe (0-2), now eliminated, and will play a final against the Bissau-Guineans.

Group B: Burkina Faso at the rendezvous, Cape Verde is almost there

Almost perfect results for Burkina Faso. Despite a draw against Togo, the "Stallions", who had already won three times before this meeting, are now guaranteed to be in Côte d'Ivoire next January. Dango Ouattara opened the scoring for Burkina Faso, while Kodjo Laba equalized for the "Éperviers".

In the other match, Eswatini lost to Cape Verde (0-1), who now need only one more win in June to secure qualification.

Group C: Cameroon in trouble, Namibia surprising first

Cameroon, five-time African champions, was dominated to everyone's surprise by the "Brave Warriors" (2-1) Tuesday in Soweto, South Africa. Namibia, a modest 113th nation in the FIFA rankings, won thanks to goals from captain Peter Shalulile (55th) and Absalom Limbondi (79th), while Vincent Aboubakar saved the honour of the "Indomitable Lions" in extra time (90th+1).

Held in check four days earlier, coach Rigobert Song had beaten the recall of tauliers, including captain Aboubakar, Nicolas Nkoulou and Zambo Anguissa, to play this decisive match. But in the absence of Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Karl Toko Ekambi, the Cameroonian attack failed to turn the result around.

Thanks to this prestigious success, Namibia sits at the top of Group C with five points, one more than Cameroon, and four more than Burundi. In this group reduced to three due to the exclusion of Kenya, two of the three countries will qualify.

Group D: Egypt unrolls, Guinea secures

Egypt played away against Malawi (4-0). The "Pharaohs" thus regain control of Group D, tied with Guinea. With the same starting eleven as three days earlier, the Syli national has again subjected its law to Ethiopia (2-3).

Egypt and Guinea are tied on the top step of the podium with nine points. Barring an unbelievable scenario, this should be enough to see Ivory Coast, with both opponents six points behind.

Group E: Ghana is doing well, the Central African Republic close to making history

Mission accomplished for Ghana. By winning four points on their double confrontation with Angola, the "Black Stars" are ideally placed for a qualification. In Luanda, Chris Hughton's men came close to defeat after Lucas Joao opened the scoring on a penalty. But they equalised thanks to Osman Bukari and won the point of the draw.

On the side of the Central African Republic, the hope is high for a first qualification to the CAN. Raoul Savoy's men have seven points and are just behind leaders Ghana. The fifth day will be decisive for the Central Africans, who will host Angola: a success will send them to the CAN. Madagascar, beaten by the Central African Republic, is now eliminated.

Group F: Algeria will go to its 20th CAN

After being eliminated in the first round in January 2022 and not qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Algeria bounced back. Djamel Belmadi's players won 1-0 on Monday against Niger in a match relocated to Tunisia, Niger does not have a stadium approved by the Confederation of African Football. A fourth victory in four matches that validates their ticket for Côte d'Ivoire.

Beaten at home by Tanzania (0-1) on the third day, Uganda took revenge. The "Cranes" won on the same score at their opponent. The two East African rivals are tied at four points and are expected to fight for the second ticket from the distance, unless Niger (two points) does well.

Group G: Mali stalls, everything remains possible

After three wins in a row, Mali finally fell. Eric Chelle's protégés had the opportunity to qualify in case of victory, but instead served to revive the Gambia team (1-0). Tom Saintfiet's men won in the final moments that totally revived them, only three points behind Mali.

Mali still remains leader of the pool with three points ahead of the duo Congo and Gambia (six points). South Sudan, with three points, is in an unfavorable swing.

Group H: Zambia one point away from qualification

One more small effort and Zambia will officially qualify for CAN-2024. The "Chipolopolos" went to Lesotho with an important victory thanks to a double from Patson Daka that puts them in second position in their group with nine points from four games.

It is only ahead of Côte d'Ivoire, already qualified as the host country, who beat the Comoros (0-2). The thrilling team of CAN-2022 currently has three points and will have to bet on an unlikely comeback in the standings, if it wants to play the second African Cup in its history.

Group I: Gabon loses and group tightens

Everything remains to be done in Group I. While Gabon had the opportunity to take an option on qualification in case of victory against Sudan, the "Panthers" lost to the "Crocodiles". Patrice Neveu's men remain in the lead but are only one point ahead of the Sudanese.

Behind, DR Congo and Mauritania are not far away. The two teams have left each other back to back and have four and five points respectively. Everything remains possible.

Group J: Tunisia undefeated and qualified

In the Maghreb derby, Tunisia showed seriousness and application to win against Libya and qualify for the 21st CAN in its history. The Tunisians quickly opened the scoring thanks to Haythem Jouini and won the duel on the smallest of scores (1-0).

Equatorial Guinea won 3-2 against Botswana and should accompany the "Eagles of Carthage" in Côte d'Ivoire.

Group K: South Africa qualified

Sometimes it doesn't take much to be happy. With only one win, South Africa is already assured of qualifying for the AFCON in this group of three since the expulsion of Zimbabwe. The "Bafana Bafana" imposed themselves in Liberia to compost their ticket.

The last team in the group, Morocco semi-finalist of the last World Cup, will have to wait until June to qualify. He was exempt from official matches on this international session.

Group L: full card and qualification for Senegal

The African champion will be there in Côte d'Ivoire to defend his title. Senegal, winner four days ago of Mozambique (5-1), again took the best against the "Mambas".

The second ticket of this pool L will be played between Mozambique, Rwanda and Benin, the latter two having not yet played their fourth match, after a postponement.

The qualified teams at the end of the fourth day: Côte d'Ivoire (organizing country), Algeria, Tunisia, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Morocco, South Africa.

Eliminated teams: Botswana, Madagascar, Lesotho, Sao Tome and Principe, Liberia.

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