Algeria secure TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco ...

Published: Tuesday, 15 October 2024

Algeria secured their place in the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a narrow 1-0 win over Togo on Monday night, ensuring their fourth consecutive victory in Group E of the qualifiers.

The result puts the Desert Foxes on 12 points with two games to spare, confirming their qualification for the tournament in Morocco.

A first-half strike from Said Benrahma was enough to seal the win for Algeria, who displayed a disciplined defensive performance to hold off a resilient Togo side.

The victory guarantees Algeria’s seventh straight TotalEnergies CAF AFCON appearance and their 21st overall, as they aim to lift their third continental title.

Only Equatorial Guinea can mathematically challenge Algeria's top spot in the group, which means the Desert Foxes will be guaranteed one of the two slots from the group.

The North African giants will have their sights set on maintaining momentum in their final two group games.

With the 2025 tournament set to take place in North Africa, Algeria will hope that the familiar surroundings will inspire another title run.

Both of their previous TotalEnergies CAF AFCON triumphs came on North African soil: first on home ground in 1990 and then in Egypt during the 2019 edition. 

As they look to add a third title, Algeria will be buoyed by their impressive form in the qualifiers.

In other action, Zimbabwe dealt a major blow to Namibia’s AFCON hopes with a 3-1 win. 

The defeat leaves Namibia at the bottom of Group J, while Zimbabwe climbed to second place behind leaders Cameroon, keeping their qualification chances alive.