Qualifiers' conclusion

African Cup of Nation elimination games, for the finals in Gabon 2017, began on 12 June 2015. After 15 months long campaign tonight with the 148 match it will be finalized this cycle. All 54 African member associations started these qualifiers, but unfortunately 2 of them has been withdrawn earlier (mainly due to financial difficulties). And on the first weekend of September it will all be over with these 14 pairs.

- Malawi - Swaziland. Swaziland's great run in group L unfortunately ended with the second place. The team will secure this position today against Malawi which is playing a great football but with mixed results. Bad qualifiers for them and, with the current form, they should end up with a draw.
- Burkina Faso - Botswana. One of the teams racing for the finals is Burkina Faso who, so far, did not receive a goal at home. Botswana has the opposite record in the qualifiers, but they too are capable of scoring goals as visitors. Home wish is very much alive and they have to treat their crowd with a victory. The team may be desperate for a win, but Burkinabe has to listen the other game for confirmation...
- Uganda - Comoros. ...and that 'confirmation' will practically be decided in this match, playing at the same time. Leaders Uganda entertain last place Comoros. The decision day for the hosts cannot come in better time as both are playing dreadful football. In many cases we are witnessing that last team in group can beat the leaders and, despite their low form, Uganda are determined to write new three points.
- Congo - Guinea-Bissau. Guinea-Bissau are already in the finals and this game can end up on a high note. Congo, who is a 'master' of stalemates at home, would want to say goodbye with a victory. As the match 'smells' for a draw, the visitors might 'surprise' Congo and steal away the victory.
- Zambia - Kenya. Miserable campaign for well known Zambia, and also a 'master of draws' at home, could well show the same result here. against Kenya. As in the previous game, this also 'stinks' of stalemate as the two are playing awfully. We might said that in this one no one will win, but (with a little effort, Zambia could add a (new) victory.
- Equatorial Guinea - South Sudan. Equatorial Guinea simply can not win at home nor that South Sudanese cannot do the same as visitors. As both are dreadful and are in low form, this easily may be a (scoreless) draw.
- Democratic Republic of Congo - Central African Republic. 'Surprisingly' one of these two will go to the finals. Central African Republic only with a win goes Gabon, although DR Congo is in a better position than them. The hosts cannot let this one slide, a draw should be enough to them, DR Congo victorious will end up these qualifiers (if they have good will).
- Guinea - Zimbabwe. On this last day already qualified Zimbabwe plays Guinea. Like many teams, these two lately are in dreadful form. And as finalist Zimbabwe 'makes' only draws this one could finish in this way.
- Mali - Benin. Either Mali or Benin we will see next January in Gabon. Mali is in a two points lead from their rivals and it will be a real miracle if they drop this. Benin also looks dangerous away and only a win can save them. We are expecting lots of entertainment on the pitch, but Mali looks to be too strong.
- Niger - Burundi. Group K was settled long time ago so this two cannot change anything. No matter of the outcome Niger will be last and Burundi in second place. As both 'are relieved of duties' and can easily 'exhale' without any danger, Burundi are slight favorites to take this 'meaningless' game.
- Togo - Djibouti. We cannot see how winless Djibouti can harm Togo in any way. Only one goal scored so far, 'poor' visitors can only hope not to experience a new sinking (like previous two away games in the group).
- Tunisia - Liberia. It come to the last game to find out who will go through: either will be Tunisia (who needs two goals to advance) or Liberia (who is expected to score a goal)? Very tough game for the visitors to win knowing that Tunisia is very confident at home.
- Morocco - Sao Tome e Principe. Playing first against last, Morocco already said goodbye to qualifiers and good day/evening in Gabon. Like in Togo-Djibouti case, we might fear that Sao Tome e Principe will receive lots of goals and mighty Morocco will only see this as light training.
- Algeria - Lesotho. As a 148 game, Algeria will have the honor to close these (long) qualifiers. We are sure that the host cannot let to be surprised by Lesotho who, in either case, will finish on bottom in group J. For a last game Algeria may relax a little, but also finish this campaign with new three points.