The qualifying phase for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has concluded, and the African football landscape has been significantly reshaped. Among the nations that secured their place in the Moroccan tournament, two teams have confirmed their status as continental powerhouses: Mali and Tunisia. These qualifications, achieved in different group situations, underscore the consistency and ambition of these two sides.

Mali's journey and key figures in the qualifiers

Mali finished top of their group (Group I) with a near-perfect record. Undefeated in the group, the Malian players accumulated 14 points (4 wins, 2 draws) and scored 10 goals while conceding only 1. This impenetrable defense (only one goal conceded in 6 matches) greatly contributed to their dominance. After defeating Eswatini, Mozambique, and Guinea-Bissau, Mali secured their qualification with a 1-0 victory away to Mozambique. The Malian goal, scored from a Kamory Doumbia free kick (19th minute), was enough to clinch this coveted spot.

This level of precision also appeals to football data enthusiasts, who are always looking for reliable indicators to understand game dynamics. Following this logic, some specialized websites compile these figures daily to refine the understanding of matches. These specialized platforms allow each fan to place their daily football bet based on match analyses and statistical predictions as the games progress. This final victory brings Mali to 14 points and secures first place ahead of Mozambique (11 points), Guinea-Bissau (5 points), and Eswatini (2 points). Coach Tom Saintfiet can be pleased with a team that is solid defensively and effective offensively.

Tunisia's journey and key figures in qualifying.

In Group A , Tunisia confirmed their status as favorites. The Eagles of Carthage finished with 10 points (3 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses) and 7 goals scored, placing second behind the surprising Comoros (12 points). The Tunisian team won crucial matches against Madagascar and Gambia in the first round, and secured a 3-2 victory against Madagascar on Matchday 5 (November 14, 2024), a win that definitively guaranteed qualification. In that match in Madagascar, Hamza Rafia and Sayfallah Ltaïef twice gave Tunisia the lead, before Madagascar equalized twice.

Winger Ali Abdi, reduced to ten men after Kechrida's dismissal, finally delivered the winning goal in the 93rd minute. Overall, Tunisia secured a well-deserved qualification. Unbeaten in their last three matches and solid defensively, they already had 10 points out of a possible 12 before the final two rounds. This performance extends Tunisia's run of appearances. The country will compete in its 18th consecutive Africa Cup of Nations finals, a record on the continent. In the qualifying rounds, the Tunisian defense conceded only 6 goals, and the attackers were always clinical in the crucial moments.

Towards the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations: calendar and continental stakes

With their qualification confirmed, Mali and Tunisia now know their opponents in the final phase of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The draw placed Mali in Group A alongside host nation Morocco, Zambia, and Comoros. Tunisia, meanwhile, will play in Group C with Nigeria, Uganda, and Tanzania. These matches already promise exciting encounters (notably the clash between Nigeria and Tunisia on December 27, and the Morocco-Mali match on December 26) and highlight the importance of the relative strength of African teams.

Finally, it's worth noting that Tunisia took sole possession of first place in the group after the first leg and only relinquished it on the final matchday, securing a crucial 1-1 draw against Comoros and thus maintaining their second qualifying spot after the return matches. The Malian Eagles and the Carthage Eagles will be eager to live up to their qualifying records and continue their momentum. In any case, their qualification brings stability to both teams and guarantees a thrilling 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Experts and fans alike will now be closely watching the coming months to follow the preparations of both teams, who are shaping up to be genuine dark horses in this competition.