The 2019 AFCON qualifiers is one that has been smeared with twists and upsets since its commencement and the final round of matches was certainly not going to be one to halt the trend. While some country's final push for a spot in Egypt in this summer proved futile, others have successfully etched their names in the competition's history books.
On Saturday, Burundi joined Mauritania and Madagascar as the third country that will be making its debut at this year's finals in Egypt. The Swallows held onto a 1-1 draw at home to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Gabon who needed a win to secure participation at this summer's tournament.
With the Arsenal striker confirming that he will hang his boot should his side fail to progress, the inevitable has certainly arrived for Les Panthères.
Burundi make History .. For the 1st time ever #AFCON2019Q pic.twitter.com/q6IXSohTUj
— CAF (@CAF_Online) March 23, 2019
Elsewhere, Ghana saw off Kenya in its capital Accra via a 1-0 scoreline to secure a ticket to the 2019 AFCON as Group F winners. Despite the defeat, the Harambee Stars who remained resilient throughout the proceeding have already qualified alongside the Black Stars.
Senegal also topped Group A with a 2-0 win over Madagascar on Saturday. The latter secured qualification to its maiden AFCON tournament with a win over Equatorial Guinea back in October 2018.
On Sunday, all the five remaining spots were filled following an intriguing afternoon of football. In Group G, Zimbabwe and DR Congo saw off Congo Republic and Liberia respectively to claim the two spots while South Africa joined Nigeria to progress out of Group E after a 2-1 away win over Libya.
Also, Benin qualified for the 2019 AFCON alongside leaders Algeria from Group D following a 2-1 over Togo.
In Group L, table-topper Uganda was joined by Tanzania who defeated the Cranes by three goals to nil in their backyard.
Here are all the 24 countries who have qualified for the 2019 African Cup of Nations in Egypt:
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Senegal
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Madagascar
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Morocco
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Cameroon
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Mali
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Burundi
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Algeria
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Nigeria
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Ghana
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Kenya
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Guinea
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Ivory Coast
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Angola
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Mauritania
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Tunisia
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Egypt
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Guinea-Bissau
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Namibia
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Uganda
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Tanzania
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Benin
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Zimbabwe
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DR Congo
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South Africa
The 24 participants in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations are finally revealed, did your country qualify to the 32nd edition? #TotalAFCON2019 pic.twitter.com/9dLxprwkQF
— CAF (@CAF_Online) March 24, 2019