A recent social media post has sparked discussions among football fans by highlighting a little-known fact about the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). A passionate soccer enthusiast has identified ten African nations that have never managed to qualify for the prestigious continental tournament since it began in 1957.
The Complete List of AFCON Absentees
The list was shared on the popular TikTok account @ourafricanfootball and has been corroborated by historical data from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the official organizer of the biannual competition. While Africa boasts 54 recognized countries, participation in the tournament's final stages has eluded a specific group.
The ten countries named are: Central African Republic, Chad, Djibouti, Eritrea, Eswatini, Lesotho, São Tomé and Príncipe, Seychelles, Somalia, and South Sudan.
It is important to note that South Sudan, being the continent's newest nation, has had a shorter period to attempt qualification. The list serves as a reminder of the competitive nature of AFCON qualifiers and the varying levels of football development across the continent.
Contrast with AFCON Powerhouses
This revelation stands in stark contrast to the records held by Africa's football giants. According to CAF statistics, Egypt holds the record for the most AFCON titles, the most games played (over 100), the most games won (60), and the most goals scored (175) in the tournament's history.
Other nations with over a century of AFCON finals matches include Côte d’Ivoire (106 games), Ghana (105 games), and Nigeria (104 games). The gap between these established football powerhouses and the nations yet to qualify illustrates the diverse football landscape in Africa.
Mixed Reactions from Football Fans
The social media post generated a wide array of humorous and surprised reactions from viewers. Some users expressed astonishment at the very existence of some countries on the list, with comments like "Is the country Djibouti still alive?" and "I thought there are only 5 countries in Africa?"
Other comments showed a lack of familiarity with the footballing efforts of these nations, such as "Except Central African Republic & Lesotho, I didn't even know the rest of the countries played football." A few users even contested the list, claiming to remember Lesotho qualifying in the past, specifically mentioning the 2008 or 2012 editions, though this appears to be a point of confusion as Lesotho has not qualified for the finals.
Amidst the jokes, some optimistic fans looked to the future. One user expressed a desire to coach Seychelles to qualification, while another predicted that South Sudan could qualify if they tap into talent from the West Nile regions of Uganda. Another comment foresaw the Central African Republic making an appearance soon.
The discussion also took unexpected turns, with one user incorrectly stating Somalia is not an African country, and another making a speculative reference to the potential of a future nation, Biafra.
This viral list not only provides a trivia piece for football lovers but also underscores the dreams and aspirations of every footballing nation on the continent to one day grace the AFCON stage.
