2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
Arnaud Randrianantenaina
Kairou Amoustapha
This article details the qualification schedule and matches for the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations.
Players born 1 January 2001 or later were eligible to participate in the competition. A total of 8 teams, including automatically qualified hosts Morocco, qualified to play in the group stages of this edition of the tournament, which also doubled as the first stage of the African qualification for the 2024 Summer Olympics men's football tournament in France.
Teams
Apart from Morocco, the remaining 53 CAF members were eligible to enter qualification and a total of 38 national teams entered its draw which was announced on 18 August 2022.[1] Eighteen best teams from the previous edition and its qualification procedures were given a bye to the second round.
Main tournament edition hosts | Bye to second round (18 teams) | First round entrants (20 teams) |
---|---|---|
|
- Did not enter
Format
Qualification ties were played on a home-and-away, two-legged basis. If the aggregate score was tied after the second leg, away goals rule was applied and if still tied, penalty shoot-out (no extra time) was used to determine the winner.
Schedule
All matches were played during the FIFA International Window and its schedules were as follows:[2]
Round | Leg | Date |
---|---|---|
First round | First leg | 19–27 September 2022 |
Second leg | ||
Second round | First leg | 22–23 October 2022 |
Second leg | 29–30 October 2022 | |
Third round[3] | First leg | 22–28 March 2023 |
Second leg |
First round
Team 1 | Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
---|---|---|---|---|
Guinea-Bissau ![]() | 2–4 | ![]() | 0–0 | 2–4 |
Tanzania ![]() | 3–3 (a) | ![]() | 0–0 | 3–3 |
Eswatini ![]() | 3–2 | ![]() | 2–0 | 1–2 |
Mauritania ![]() | 1–2 | ![]() | 1–0 | 0–2 |
Ethiopia ![]() | 0–1 | ![]() | 0–0 | 0–1 |
Mozambique ![]() | 5–1 | ![]() | 3–0 | 2–1 |
Burkina Faso ![]() | 2–2 (a) | ![]() | 0–1 | 2–1 |
Libya ![]() | 4–4 (a) | ![]() | 4–1 | 0–3 |
Madagascar ![]() | 12–1 | ![]() | 5–0 | 7–1 |
Angola ![]() | 8–1 | ![]() | 2–1 | 6–0 |
Guinea-Bissau ![]() | 0–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report |
Niger ![]() | 4–2 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
| Report | Camará ![]() |
Niger won 4–2 on aggregate.
Tanzania ![]() | 0–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report |
South Sudan ![]() | 3–3 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
| Report |
Tanzania won 3–3 on aggregate via the away goals rule.
Eswatini ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
| Report |
Botswana ![]() | 2–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
| Report | N. Dlamini ![]() |
Eswatini won 3–2 on aggregate.
Mauritania ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
El Abd ![]() | Report |
Togo ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
| Report |
Togo won 2–1 on aggregate.
Ethiopia ![]() | Voided (0–0) | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report |
DR Congo ![]() | Voided (1–0) | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Bongonga ![]() | Report |
DR Congo won 1–0 on aggregate, but later got disqualified and had its result forfeited for fielding ineligible players. Although Ethiopia advanced to the final round, they chose not to compete and thus Algeria advanced in their place.
Mozambique ![]() | 3–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
| Report |
Mauritius ![]() | 1–2 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Aristide ![]() | Report |
|
Mozambique won 5–1 on aggregate.
Burkina Faso ![]() | 0–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report | Bojang ![]() |
Gambia ![]() | 1–2 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Bâ ![]() | Report |
|
Burkina Faso won 2–2 on aggregate via the away goals rule.
Libya ![]() | 4–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
| Report | Kamanzi ![]() |
Rwanda ![]() | 3–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
| Report |
Rwanda won 4–4 on aggregate via the away goals rule.
Madagascar ![]() | 5–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
| Report |
Seychelles ![]() | 1–7 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Aboudou ![]() | Report |
|
Madagascar won 12–1 on aggregate.
Angola ![]() | 2–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
| Report | Tsuseb ![]() |
Namibia ![]() | 0–6 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report |
|
Angola won 8–1 on aggregate.
Second round
Team 1 | Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
---|---|---|---|---|
Niger ![]() | 1–1 (a) | ![]() | 0–0 | 1–1 |
Sudan ![]() | 3–3 (a) | ![]() | 2–0 | 1–3 |
Tanzania ![]() | 1–3 | ![]() | 1–1 | 0–2 |
Guinea ![]() | w/o[A] | ![]() | — | — |
Eswatini ![]() | 0–1 | ![]() | 0–0 | 0–1 |
Sierra Leone ![]() | 1–2 | ![]() | 1–1 | 0–1 |
Togo ![]() | 2–2 (a) | ![]() | 2–2 | 0–0 |
Congo ![]() | 2–2 (a) | ![]() | 1–0 | 1–2 |
DR Congo ![]() | w/o[B][C] | ![]() | — | — |
Mozambique ![]() | 1–4 | ![]() | 1–2 | 0–2 |
Burkina Faso ![]() | 0–0 (3–5 p) | ![]() | 0–0 | 0–0 |
Rwanda ![]() | 1–2 | ![]() | 1–1 | 0–1 |
Madagascar ![]() | 0–5 | ![]() | 0–1 | 0–4 |
Angola ![]() | 2–3 | ![]() | 2–3 | 0–0 |
Notes:
- ^ Guinea won on a walkover after Uganda withdrew from the competition.[9]
- ^ DR Congo originally won the tie, but were later disqualified after competing in the second round for fielding ineligible players. Algeria advanced to the final round.[10]
- ^ Algeria won on a walkover after Ethiopia withdrew from the competition.[11][12]
Niger ![]() | 0–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report |
Ivory Coast ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Traoré ![]() | Report | Amoustapha ![]() |
Niger won 1–1 on aggregate via the away goals rule.
Sudan ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
| Report |
Benin ![]() | 3–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
| Report | Winsavi ![]() |
Sudan won 3–3 on aggregate via the away goals rule.
Tanzania ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Msengi ![]() | Report | Makanjuola ![]() |
Nigeria won 3–1 on aggregate.
Egypt won 1–0 on aggregate.
Sierra Leone ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
A. Conteh ![]() | Report | Mutale ![]() |
Zambia ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Phiri ![]() | Report |
Zambia won 2–1 on aggregate.
Togo ![]() | 2–2 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
| Report |
South Africa ![]() | 0–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report |
South Africa on 2–2 on aggregate via the away goals rule.
Congo won 2–2 on aggregate via the away goals rule.
DR Congo ![]() | Voided (4–1) | ![]() |
---|---|---|
| Report | Bekkouche ![]() |
Algeria ![]() | Voided (3–1) | ![]() |
---|---|---|
| Report | Mwamba ![]() |
DR Congo won 5–4 on aggregate but was later disqualified, thus Algeria advanced to the final round.
Mozambique ![]() | 1–2 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Vilanculos ![]() | Report | Afriyie ![]() |
Ghana ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
| Report |
Ghana won 4–1 on aggregate.
Burkina Faso ![]() | 0–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report |
Senegal ![]() | 0–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report | ||
Penalties | ||
| 5–3 |
|
Senegal won 5–3 on penalties and advanced to the final round.
Mali won 2–1 on aggregate.
Madagascar ![]() | 0–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report | Ovono ![]() |
Gabon won 5–0 on aggregate.
Cameroon won 3–2 on aggregate.
Third round
Winners qualified for the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations.
Team 1 | Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
---|---|---|---|---|
Niger ![]() | 2–1 | ![]() | 0–0 | 2–1 |
Nigeria ![]() | 0–2 | ![]() | 0–0 | 0–2 |
Egypt ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() | 2–0 | 0–0 |
South Africa ![]() | 1–1 (a) | ![]() | 1–1 | 0–0 |
Algeria ![]() | 1–2 | ![]() | 1–1 | 0–1 |
Senegal ![]() | 3–4 | ![]() | 3–1 | 0–3 |
Gabon ![]() | 1–1 (7–6 p) | ![]() | 1–0 | 0–1 |
Niger ![]() | 0–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report |
Sudan ![]() | 1–2 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Manu ![]() | Report |
|
Niger won 2–1 on aggregate.
Guinea ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
| Report |
Guinea won 2–0 on aggregate.
Egypt won 2–0 on aggregate.
South Africa ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Maseko ![]() | Report | Bissila ![]() |
Congo ![]() | 0–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report |
Congo won 1–1 on aggregate via the away goals rule.
Ghana won 2–1 on aggregate.
Mali won 4–3 on aggregate.
Gabon won 7–6 on penalties after a 1–1 draw on aggregate.
Qualified teams
The following eight teams qualified for the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations.[15]
Team | Qualified on | Previous U-23 Africa Cup of Nations appearances1 |
---|---|---|
![]() | 7 July 2022 | 1 (2011) |
![]() | 26 March 2023 | 3 (2011, 2015, 2019) |
![]() | 27 March 2023 | 0 (debut) |
![]() | 28 March 2023 | 1 (2011) |
![]() | 28 March 2023 | 1 (2019) |
![]() | 28 March 2023 | 0 (debut) |
![]() | 28 March 2023 | 2 (2015, 2019) |
![]() | 28 March 2023 | 0 (debut) |
- 1 Bold indicates champions for that year. Italic indicates hosts for that year.
Goalscorers
There were 133 goals scored in 60 matches, for an average of 2.22 goals per match.
4 goals
3 goals
Chemseddine Bekkouche
Daniel Afriyie
El Hadari Raheriniaina
2 goals
Mohamed Islam Belkhir
Bito
Capita
Zini
Ivan Ndjantou
Gloire Bassinga
Jonathan Ikangalombo
Emmanuel Ovono
Abdul Fatawu Issahaku
Mamadi Camará
Nour al-Din Al-Qulaib
Zidane Sidat
Salam Boulhassane
Success Makanjuola
Clément Niyigena
Ally Msengi
Kevin Laba
1 goal
Benarfa
Benvindo Afonso
Picas
Melono Dala
Boladji Abdou
Gaël Dassi
Soumaïla Hounkpè
Tawana Mbakile
Tefo Molefe
Kouamé Botué
Cyrille Dao
Etienne Eto'o
Djawal Kaiba
Love Bissila
John Bakata
Akram Bongonga
Gloire Mujaya
Patient Mwamba
Ibrahim Adel
Abdelrahman Atef
Osama Faisal
Bongiswa Dlamini
Neliswa Dlamini
Sambulo Simelane
Ben Kabinambele
Hants Mbenga
Jeremie Moussango
Yohann Nkoghe
Mamadou Bâ
Momodou Bojang
Sylvester Simba
Algassime Bah
Alseny Soumah
Seydou Traoré
Fadel Salama
Ali Yousef
Joël Jinidy
Kalvin Paul
Lalane Randrianandrasana
Claude Ratsimbazafy
Hamidou Diallo
Thiemoko Diarra
Ahmed Diomandé
Kamory Doumbia
Mamadou Sangare
Kalifa Traoré
Sidi Ahmed Mohamed El Abd
David Aristide
Gaby
Ivan
Gianluca Lorenzoni
Horácio Vilanculos
Gonzales Tsuseb
Abdoul Rachid Amoumane
Abiodun Ogunniyi
Ashraf Kamanzi
Prince Rudasingwa
Mamadou Lamine Camara
Ibrahima Dramé
Abdallah Sima
Affandi Aboudou
Alie Conteh
Ashley Cupido
Thapelo Maseko
Antonio van Wyk
Rahan Angier
Dani Lual
Joseph Malish
Ali Abdalah
John Manu
Al-Jezoli Nouh
Kelvin John
Abdul Sopu
Bruno Avotor
Aboudou Wetchire
Adem Garreb
Hamdi Labidi
Joshua Mutale
Andrew Phiri
1 own goal
Pamphile Winsavi (against Sudan)
Yoro Mamadou Diaby (against Rwanda)
Graham Fauré (against Madagascar)
Notes
- ^ South Sudan played their home matches overseas, since none of their stadiums met the quality standards set in CAF's regulations.[4][5]
- ^ a b Burkina Faso played their home matches outside the country, since none of the stadiums met the quality standards set in CAF's regulations.[6]
- ^ Gambia played their home matches in Morocco, since none of their home stadiums met the quality standards set in CAF's regulations.[7]
- ^ Seychelles played their home matches overseas, since none of their stadiums met the quality standards set in CAF's regulations.[8]
- ^ Sierra Leone played their home matches in Liberia, since their only stadium which satisfies the criteria of hosting international matches – the Siaka Steven Stadium in Freetown – is undergoing long term renovations.[13][14]
References
- ^ "TotalEnergies U23 AFCON Qualifiers Draw on Thursday". CAFOnline.com. 14 August 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ "The road to the TotalEnergies U23 AFCON, Morocco 2023 now mapped out". CAFOnline.com. 18 August 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ "The race towards TotalEnergies U23 AFCON and 2024 Olympics peaks as African teams prepare for Third Round of Qualifiers". CAFOnline.com. 21 March 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- ^ "Impressive CAF Champions League victories for Tanzanian clubs". News 9 Live. 11 September 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
Young Africans trounced South Sudanese side Zalan Rumbek 4-0 in a match switched to Tanzania because their rivals do not have an international-standard stadium.
- ^ Chol, ElSheikh (29 August 2022). "AL Hilal, Zalan FC risk missing CAF as Tanzania demands $17,000 for stadium rent". Eye Radio. Juba, South Sudan. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
- ^ "RC Kadiogo vs Asante Kotoko moved to Benin". Modern Ghana. 8 September 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
Currently, Burkinabé teams are unable to host continental matches on home soil as national facilities are being renovated to meet the required standards set by the Confederation of African Football (Caf).
- ^ Camara, Arfang (26 September 2022). "Gambia To Play Burkina Faso In Afcon U-23 Return Leg Fixture Tomorrow". Voice Gambia. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
- ^ "Sundowns to host both legs of Champions League tie". SuperSport. 4 October 2022.
There is no suitable stadium on the Indian Ocean island...
- ^ "La Guinée qualifiée au troisième tour après le retrait de l'Ouganda" [CAN U23: Guinea qualified in the third round after the withdrawal of Uganda]. LeKaloum Guinea News (in French). 18 October 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
- ^ "Menace de disqualification sur la RDC, l'Algérie vraiment repêchée ?" [CAN U23: threat of disqualification on the DRC, Algeria really fished out?]. Afrik Foot (in French). 27 January 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
- ^ "Black Meteors to face Algeria in final round". Ghana SoccerNet. 1 March 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
- ^ "L'ALGÉRIE QUALIFIÉE ET AFFRONTERA LE GHANA AU DERNIER TOUR" [CAN U23 TOTALENERGIES, MOROCCO 2023 PRELIMINARIES: ALGERIA QUALIFIED AND WILL FACE GHANA IN THE LAST ROUND]. Algerian Football Federation (in French). 1 March 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
- ^ "Sierra Leone close stadium for $40m rehabilitation". Football Sierra Leone. 1 March 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
- ^ Sang, Kiplagat (26 August 2022). "Liberia President Weah lauded for allowing Sierra Leone free stadium use". Goal.com. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ "Mali, Guinea through as TotalEnergies U23 AFCON qualifiers climax in style". CAFOnline.com. 28 March 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
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