Three Nations Eliminated as AFCON 2025 Group Stage Claims Botswana, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon

Three Nations Eliminated as AFCON 2025 Group Stage Claims Botswana, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon

By Niyi Busari 

Botswana, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon have been eliminated from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after failing to register a single point in the group stage, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Botswana, who finished bottom of Group D, suffered consecutive defeats in their opening two matches. They were beaten 3–0 by Senegal before losing 1–0 to Benin Republic. Although the Zebras still have a final group fixture against DR Congo scheduled for Tuesday, December 30, the results elsewhere have already confirmed their exit from the tournament.

Equatorial Guinea endured a difficult campaign in Group E, losing all three of their matches. They opened with a narrow 2–1 defeat to Burkina Faso, were convincingly beaten 3–0 by Algeria, and concluded their group stage with a 1–0 loss to Sudan, leaving them without a point.

In Group F, Gabon also bowed out early after back-to-back defeats. They opened their campaign with a 1–0 loss to Cameroon before falling 3–2 to Mozambique in their second match. With zero points, Gabon sit fourth in the group and are mathematically eliminated. They will, however, play for pride when they face defending champions Ivory Coast on Wednesday, December 31.