Four more countries book places at 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals

CAPE TOWN : The tiny Comoros Islands, Mali, Zambia and Zimbabwe added their names on Friday to the list teams who have qualified for next year’s 24-team Africa Cup of Nations but four-time champions Ghana were eliminated.

Nineteen teams have now secured placed in tournament that will take place in Morocco.

Mali won 1-0 away in Mozambique despite fears for their safety amid on-going unrest in Maputo following disputed election results.

Kamory Doumbia scored the only goal of a game that Mali wanted postponed, or at least played behind closed doors, for fears that the rioting might spread to the crowd.

Mali coach Tom Saintfiet told Reuters earlier on Friday he and his players were scared that a loss for the home team might lead to stadium violence, but amid heavy security, attendance was low and the match passed without incident.

The Comoros, one of the continent's smallest countries, scored a come-from-behind 2-1 win away over Gambia to qualify from Group A and go to the finals for a second time after their giant killing appearance at the 2021 edition in Cameroon.

Myziane Maolida scored the last-gasp winner.

Zambia’s 1-0 win over holders Ivory Coast in Ndola also put them into the finals as Kennedy Musonda scored two minutes before halftime. The Ivorians had already qualified from Group G.

Zimbabwe had been barred from the last edition of the continental championship, after government interference in the running of their association led to an 18-month FIFA ban, but bounced back to book their place despite a 1-1 home draw with Kenya.

Scotland-based attacker Tawanda Maswanhise had Zimbabwe 1-0 ahead before halftime of the Group J match played in Polokwane, South Africa, because Zimbabwe do not have a stadium that meets the