AFCON Qualifying’s 10 Biggest Shocks, From Nigeria’s Exit to Egypt’s Collapse

AFCON qualifying has repeatedly produced results that defied the form book. As Malawi begin their 2027 campaign after beating South Sudan 2-1, their upcoming fixtures against Angola and Egypt offer another reminder that favourites are never guaranteed a place at the finals. Nigeria’s painful 2012 exit after Guinea’s late equaliser in Abuja remains one of the competition’s biggest surprises. The Super Eagles also failed to defend their 2013 title after missing out on the 2015 tournament, while Ghana finished bottom of their qualifying group without a win for the 2025 finals. Other remarkable upsets include Burundi reaching their first AFCON at Gabon’s expense, Botswana defeating Tunisia home and away, Cape Verde eliminating Cameroon, and the Central African Republic ending Egypt’s long unbeaten home qualifying run. Egypt’s failure to qualify for the 2012 finals despite being three-time defending champions remains one of the most dramatic collapses in AFCON history.

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