The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has delivered early shocks and tough exits as six national teams have officially crashed out of the tournament following decisive group-stage results in Morocco.
With the competition entering a critical phase, the eliminated teams are Botswana, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Comoros, each seeing their AFCON dream end earlier than expected.
Botswana First to Bow Out
Botswana became the first team eliminated at AFCON 2025 after suffering defeats in their opening two group matches. The early losses left them with no mathematical chance of advancing, sealing their exit before the final round of games.
Equatorial Guinea and Gabon Follow Suit
Equatorial Guinea and Gabon were next to be knocked out. Both sides endured difficult group-stage campaigns and failed to pick up points in their first two fixtures, making progression impossible regardless of their final results.
Heavy Defeat Ends Zambiaโs Campaign
Zambiaโs hopes of reaching the knockout stage came to an abrupt end on Monday night, when they were convincingly beaten 3โ0 by tournament hosts Morocco. The result confirmed Zambiaโs elimination and underlined Moroccoโs growing dominance in the competition.
Comoros Exit as Best Third-Place Hopes Fade
Comoros made history for the wrong reasons, becoming the first third-place team eliminated at AFCON 2025. Despite completing their group matches, Comoros finished behind four of the five other third-place contenders, leaving them unable to qualify for the Round of 16 under the tournamentโs qualification rules.
Six Teams Already Through to the Round of 16
While several teams are heading home, others have already booked their places in the knockout rounds. The teams confirmed for the AFCON 2025 Round of 16 are:
- Algeria
- Mali
- Morocco
- Nigeria
- South Africa
- Egypt
More teams are expected to join the knockout lineup as the final group-stage matches conclude.
As the tournament progresses, AFCON 2025 continues to deliver intense competition, surprise exits, and standout performances. With powerhouse nations advancing and underdogs falling short, fans can expect even more drama as the battle for continental glory intensifies in Morocco.
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