Five Afcon qualifying talking points as African giants Ghana, Cameroon in fight for final places

Five-time champions Cameroon will be among 16 teams chasing nine finals places in the last round of 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying during September.

While only Egypt, with a record seven titles, have been more successful in the continental showpiece, Cameroon must win at home against Burundi to be certain of qualifying.

A draw would leave Cameroon, Burundi and Namibia level on points and goal difference in Group C and tie-breakers would come into play to decide which two countries go to the Ivory Coast.

Cameroon had a bye this month as Kenya were disqualified by FIFA before the first matchday last June due to government interference in the sport.

AFP highlights five talking points after the latest matchday, with 22 qualifiers delivering 52 goals and the number of qualifiers rising from seven to 15. 

Qualified (15)

Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast (hosts), Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal (holders), South Africa, Tunisia, Zambia

Contenders (16 for nine places)

Group C: Namibia, Cameroon, Burundi (two places)

Group E: Ghana, Angola, Central African Republic (two places)

Group F: Tanzania or Uganda

Group G: Gambia or Congo Brazzaville

Group I: Mauritania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Sudan (two places)

Group L: Mozambique or Benin

Osimhen sparkles

Napoli star Victor Osimhen is the leading scorer in qualifying with seven goals, and there is the prospect of more to come from him when Nigeria host Sao Tome e Principe in the final round.

The leading scorer in the Serie A season with 26 goals as Napoli ended a three-decade title drought netted four times in a 10-0 away triumph over Sao Tome last June.

Sao Tome are ranked 184 in the world and have the worst defensive