After Thursday’s 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, half of the teams that will play at the tournament have been confirmed.
Comoros, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana and Egypt have joined Algeria, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, Senegal, Tunisia and hosts Cameroon in January’s tournament.
Gambia qualified for their first-ever AFCON after a 1-0 win over Angola. Assan Ceesay netted the winning goal after an hour, ensuring The Gambia clinched one of the two tickets from Group D.
The other slot was secured by Gabon who beat DR Congo 3-0. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Denis Bouanga, and Aaron Boupendza scored the goals for the Panthers.
Egypt’s 1-1 draw with Kenya, was enough to get the point they needed in Group G to qualify, while Ghana drew 1-1 in South Africa to make it through from Group C.
The Pharaohs now have nine points, level with Comoros.
Comoros qualified after a goalless draw with Togo at home, to reach their first AFCON finals.
Teams that have never played at the tournament before, have benefitted from the decision to expand the Nations Cup from a 16-team event to one featuring 24 teams.
