Afcon qualifiers: A tale of woe and wonder

The road to the Africa Cup of Nations is a long and winding one, and it's not always easy. Just ask the teams who have already fallen by the wayside.

The qualifiers for the 2023 Afcon have been no different, with some of the continent's biggest names failing to make the cut. Algeria, the defending champions, were surprisingly eliminated in the group stage, while Nigeria and Egypt also failed to qualify.

But for every team that falls, there is another that rises. The likes of Madagascar, Comoros and The Gambia have all made it to the finals for the first time, while Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea are back after long absences.

The qualifiers have also thrown up some memorable moments. Who could forget Sadio Mane's stunning goal against Benin, or Zambia's dramatic victory over Namibia in the final game of the group stage? These are the moments that make Afcon so special.

Of course, the qualifiers are just a stepping stone to the main event. The Afcon finals will be held in Cameroon in January and February 2023, and it promises to be a tournament to remember. With so many talented teams involved, it's anyone's guess who will come out on top.

But one thing is for sure: the road to the Afcon is never easy. Just ask the teams who have already fallen by the wayside.

The good, the bad and the ugly

The Afcon qualifiers have been a mixed bag so far. There have been some great moments, but there have also been some disappointments.

The good

• The emergence of new stars
• The return of some old favorites
• Some stunning goals
• Some dramatic matches

The bad

• The failure of some big names to qualify
• The absence of some key players due to injury
• The poor form of some teams
• The lack of VAR

The ugly

• The violence in some matches
• The poor officiating
• The corruption allegations

Overall, the Afcon qualifiers have been a mixed bag. There have been some great moments, but there have also been some disappointments. It's anyone's guess what will happen in the finals, but one thing is for sure: it's going to be an exciting tournament.

The teams to watch

With the Afcon finals just around the corner, it's time to take a look at the teams who are likely to challenge for the title.

Senegal are the top-ranked team in Africa and they will be looking to win their first Afcon title since 2002. They have a strong squad, led by Sadio Mane, and they will be one of the favorites.

Algeria are the defending champions and they will be looking to retain their title. They have a good team, with Riyad Mahrez as their star player. However, they will need to improve their form if they want to win the tournament again.

Nigeria are one of the most successful teams in Afcon history, with three titles to their name. They have a good squad, but they have been in poor form in recent years. They will need to find their best form if they want to challenge for the title.

Egypt are another successful team in Afcon history, with seven titles to their name. They have a good squad, led by Mohamed Salah. However, they have been in poor form in recent years. They will need to find their best form if they want to challenge for the title.

Cameroon are the hosts of the tournament and they will be looking to win their sixth Afcon title. They have a good squad, with Karl Toko Ekambi as their star player. However, they will need to improve their form if they want to win the tournament.

These are just a few of the teams who will be challenging for the Afcon title. It's going to be an exciting tournament, and it's anyone's guess who will come out on top.

A call to action

The Afcon qualifiers have been a rollercoaster ride, but they are finally coming to an end. The finals are just around the corner, and it's going to be an exciting tournament. Make sure you tune in to watch all the action.