Gabon, Nigeria, South Africa, Tunisia and Uganda all booked spots at the next Africa Cup of Nations finals on Thursday, some without even playing in the latest qualifiers. Tunisia snatched a stoppage time goal from Ali El Abdi’s diving header to edge Madagascar 3-2 in neutral Pretoria and make sure they will finish in the top two places in Group A.

A late equaliser from Victor Osimhen stamped Nigeria's ticket for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday while Tunisia also booked their place with a 3-2 win over Madagascar.

South Africa qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals on Thursday afternoon without kicking a ball as their closest challengers Congo lost 3-2 away to South Sudan in Juba.

Holders Ivory Coast and Equatorial Guinea became the latest countries to qualify for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals but did not have to kick a ball to do so, as the penultimate round of qualifiers began on Wednesday.

Gabon, Nigeria, South Africa, Tunisia and Uganda all booked spots at the next Africa Cup of Nations finals on Thursday, some without even playing in the latest qualifiers.

Gabon, Nigeria, South Africa, Tunisia and Uganda all booked spots at the next Africa Cup of Nations finals on Thursday, some without even playing in the latest qualifiers.