2019 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
The 2019 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualification was a men's under-23 football competition, which decided the participating teams of the 2019 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations.
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Dates | 12 November 2018 – 10 September 2019 | 
| Teams | 43 (from 1 confederation) | 
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 66 | 
| Goals scored | 157 (2.38 per match) | 
| Top scorer(s) | |
Players born 1 January 1997 or later were eligible to participate in the competition. A total of eight teams qualified to play in the final tournament, including Egypt who qualified automatically as hosts.[1] These matches also served as the first stage of the CAF qualifiers for the 2020 Summer Olympics men's football tournament in Japan.
Teams
    
Apart from Egypt, the remaining 53 members of CAF were eligible to enter the qualifying competition, and a total of 43 national teams were in the qualifying draw, which was announced on 2 October 2018.[2] The 13 teams which had the best performance in the 2015 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations final tournament and qualifying competition were given a bye to the second round.
| Final tournament hosts | Bye to second round (13 teams)  | 
First round entrants (30 teams)  | 
|---|---|---|
  | 
- Notes
 
- Teams in bold qualified for the final tournament.
 - (D): Disqualified after draw
 - (W): Withdrew after draw
 
- Did not enter
 
 Benin
 Cape Verde
 Central African Republic
 Comoros
 Djibouti
 Eritrea
 Guinea-Bissau
 Lesotho
 Liberia
 Madagascar
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
    
The schedule of the qualifying rounds was as follows.[3] All matches were played during the FIFA International Window. The third round was originally scheduled for 3–11 June 2019 but was rescheduled to 2–10 September 2019 due to the proximity of its initial dates to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations between 21 June and 19 July.[4]
| Round | Leg | Date | 
|---|---|---|
| First round | First leg | 12–20 November 2018 | 
| Second leg | ||
| Second round | First leg | 18–26 March 2019 | 
| Second leg | ||
| Third round | First leg | 2–10 September 2019 | 
| Second leg | 
Bracket
    
The bracket of the draw was announced by the CAF on 2 October 2018.[2][3]
The seven winners of the third round qualified for the final tournament.
| First round | Second round | Third round | |||||||||||||||
| — | — | w/o | |||||||||||||||
| — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 0 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
| 3 | 3 | 6 | |||||||||||||||
| 5 | 0 | 5 | |||||||||||||||
| 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 0 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
| 0 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
| 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 0 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||||||
| First round | Second round | Third round | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | 1 | 2 | |||||||||||||||
| 2 | 1 | 3 | |||||||||||||||
| 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | 1 | 2 | |||||||||||||||
| 2 | 3 | 5 | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | 3 | 4 | |||||||||||||||
| 2 | 1 | 3 | |||||||||||||||
| 0 | 3 | 3 | |||||||||||||||
| 0 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
| 0 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||||||
| First round | Second round | Third round | |||||||||||||||
| 5 | 0 | 5 | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | 1 | 2 | |||||||||||||||
| 4 | 0 | 4 | |||||||||||||||
| 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | 1 | 2 | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | 0 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | 3 | 4 | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | 1 | 2 | |||||||||||||||
| 0 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
| 0 | 3 | 3 | |||||||||||||||
| First round | Second round | Third round | |||||||||||||||
| 3 | 1 | 4 | |||||||||||||||
| 0 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
| — | — | w/o | |||||||||||||||
| — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 1 | 2 | |||||||||||||||
| 0 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | 0 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
| 0 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||||||
| 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 0 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
| First round | Second round | Third round | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | 1 | 2 | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | 3 | 4 | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | 1 | 2 | |||||||||||||||
| 2 | 6 | 8 | |||||||||||||||
| 0 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | 1 | 2 | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | 1 | 2 | |||||||||||||||
| 2 | 4 | 6 | |||||||||||||||
| 2 | 0 | 2 | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | 0 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
| First round | Second round | Third round | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | 0 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | 1 | 2 | |||||||||||||||
| 2 | 0 | 2 | |||||||||||||||
| 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 5 | 3 | 8 | |||||||||||||||
| 0 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | 0 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
| 0 | 5 | 5 | |||||||||||||||
| — | — | w/o | |||||||||||||||
| — | — | ||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 0 | 2 | |||||||||||||||
| 0 | 4 | 4 | |||||||||||||||
| First round | Second round | Third round | |||||||||||||||
| 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 0 | 5 | 5 | |||||||||||||||
| 2 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 0 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | 1 | 2 | |||||||||||||||
| 4 | 0 | 4 | |||||||||||||||
| 0 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | 0 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | 4 | 5 | |||||||||||||||
First round
    
| Team 1 | Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angola  | 
w/o | — | — | |
| Mozambique  | 
1–1 (a) | 0–0 | 1–1 | |
| Botswana  | 
2–3 | 1–2 | 1–1 | |
| Burundi  | 
3–3 (a) | 2–0 | 1–3 | |
| Ghana  | 
5–2 | 5–1 | 0–1 | |
| Equatorial Guinea  | 
4–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | |
| Cameroon  | 
4–1 | 3–0 | 1–1 | |
| Uganda  | 
1–2 | 1–0 | 0–2 | |
| Burkina Faso  | 
2–4 | 1–1 | 1–3 | |
| Mauritania  | 
2–6 | 1–2 | 1–4 | |
| Seychelles  | 
1–2 | 1–1 | 0–1 | |
| Kenya  | 
8–1 | 5–0 | 3–1 | |
| Libya  | 
w/o | — | — | |
| Rwanda  | 
0–5 | 0–0 | 0–5 | |
| Ethiopia  | 
4–1 | 4–0 | 0–1 | 
Angola won on walkover after Namibia withdrew.[5]
1–1 on aggregate. Mozambique won on away goals.
| Botswana  | 1–2 | |
|---|---|---|
  | 
Report | 
  | 
| Malawi  | 1–1 | |
|---|---|---|
  | 
Report | 
  | 
Malawi won 3–2 on aggregate.
| Tanzania  | 3–1 | |
|---|---|---|
  | 
Report | 
  | 
3–3 on aggregate. Burundi won on away goals.
| Togo  | 1–0 | |
|---|---|---|
  | 
Report | 
Ghana won 5–2 on aggregate.
| Equatorial Guinea  | 1–1 | |
|---|---|---|
  | 
Report | 
  | 
| São Tomé and Príncipe  | 1–3 | |
|---|---|---|
  | 
Report | 
Equatorial Guinea won 4–2 on aggregate.
Cameroon won 4–1 on aggregate.
South Sudan won 2–1 on aggregate.
| Burkina Faso  | 1–1 | |
|---|---|---|
  | 
Report | 
  | 
| Niger  | 3–1 | |
|---|---|---|
  | 
Report | 
  | 
Niger won 4–2 on aggregate.
| Mauritania  | 1–2 | |
|---|---|---|
  | 
Report | 
  | 
| Guinea  | 4–1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report | 
  | 
Guinea won 6–2 on aggregate.
Sudan won 2–1 on aggregate.
| Mauritius  | 1–3 | |
|---|---|---|
  | 
Report | 
  | 
Kenya won 8–1 on aggregate.
| Libya  | Cancelled | |
|---|---|---|
| Report | 
| Gambia  | Cancelled | |
|---|---|---|
| Report | 
Libya won on walkover after Gambia withdrew.[7]
| Rwanda  | 0–0 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report | 
DR Congo won 5–0 on aggregate.
| Ethiopia  | 4–0 | |
|---|---|---|
  | 
Report | 
Ethiopia won 4–1 on aggregate.
Second round
    
| Team 1 | Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angola  | 
1–6 | 1–3 | 0–3 | |
| Mozambique  | 
0–2 | 0–0 | 0–2 | |
| Malawi  | 
0–2 | 0–1 | 0–1 | |
| Burundi  | 
1–2 | 0–0 | 1–2 | |
| Ghana  | 
4–0 | 4–0 | 0–0 | |
| Equatorial Guinea  | 
1–3 | 0–0 | 1–3 | |
| Cameroon  | 
w/o | — | — | |
| South Sudan  | 
0–1 | 0–0 | 0–1 | |
| Niger  | 
2–8 | 1–2 | 1–6 | |
| Guinea  | 
2–1 | 2–1 | 0–0 | |
| Sudan  | 
2–0 | 2–0 | 0–0 | |
| Libya  | 
2–4 | 2–0 | 0–4 | |
| DR Congo  | 
2–0 | 0–1 | ||
| Ethiopia  | 
1–5 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 
| Angola  | 1–3 | |
|---|---|---|
  | 
Report | 
| South Africa  | 3–0 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report | 
South Africa won 6–1 on aggregate.
Zimbabwe won 2–0 on aggregate.
Zambia won 2–0 on aggregate.
| Burundi  | 0–0 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report | 
| Congo  | 2–1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report | 
  | 
Congo won 2–1 on aggregate.
| Ghana  | 4–0 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report | 
| Gabon  | 0–0 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report | 
Ghana won 4–0 on aggregate.
| Algeria  | 3–1 | |
|---|---|---|
  | 
Report | 
  | 
Algeria won 3–1 on aggregate.
Cameroon won on walkover due to FIFA's suspension of the Sierra Leone Football Association.[8]
Tunisia won 1–0 on aggregate.
| Niger  | 1–2 | |
|---|---|---|
  | 
Report | 
| Ivory Coast  | 6–1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report | 
  | 
Ivory Coast won 8–2 on aggregate.
| Guinea  | 2–1 | |
|---|---|---|
  | 
Report | 
  | 
| Senegal  | 0–0 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report | 
Guinea won 2–1 on aggregate.
| Sudan  | 2–0 | |
|---|---|---|
  | 
Report | 
| Kenya  | 0–0 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report | 
Sudan won 2–0 on aggregate.
Nigeria won 4–2 on aggregate.
| DR Congo  | 2–0 | |
|---|---|---|
  | 
Report | 
DR Congo won 2–1 on aggregate. However, they were later disqualified for fielding an ineligible (overaged) player, and Morocco won on walkover.[9]
| Mali  | 4–0 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report | 
Mali won 5–1 on aggregate.
Third round
    
Winners qualified for 2019 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations.[10]
| Team 1 | Agg.Tooltip Aggregate score | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa  | 
5–0 | 5–0 | 0–0 | |
| Zambia  | 
5–4 | 2–1 | 3–3 | |
| Ghana  | 
2–1 | 1–1 | 1–0 | |
| Cameroon  | 
2–2 (a) | 1–0 | 1–2 | |
| Ivory Coast  | 
2–2 (a) | 0–1 | 2–1 | |
| Sudan  | 
1–5 | 1–0 | 0–5 | |
| Morocco  | 
1–2 | 1–1 | 0–1 | 
| South Africa  | 5–0 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report | 
| Zimbabwe  | 0–0 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report | 
South Africa won 5–0 on aggregate.
| Zambia  | 2–1 | |
|---|---|---|
  | 
Report | 
  | 
Zambia won 5–4 on aggregate.
| Ghana  | 1–1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report | 
  | 
Ghana won 2–1 on aggregate.
2–2 on aggregate. Cameroon won on away goals.
| Ivory Coast  | 0–1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report | 
  | 
| Guinea  | 1–2 | |
|---|---|---|
  | 
Report | 
2–2 on aggregate. Ivory Coast won on away goals.
Nigeria won 5–1 on aggregate.
Mali won 2–1 on aggregate.
Qualified teams
    
The following eight teams qualified for the final tournament.
| Team | Qualified on | Previous appearances in Africa U-23 Cup of Nations1 | 
|---|---|---|
| 23 June 2017[1] | 2 (2011, 2015) | |
| 10 September 2019 | 2 (2011, 2015) | |
| 8 September 2019 | 1 (2015) | |
| 10 September 2019 | 0 (debut) | |
| 10 September 2019 | 0 (debut) | |
| 10 September 2019 | 1 (2011) | |
| 10 September 2019 | 2 (2011, 2015) | |
| 10 September 2019 | 1 (2015) | 
- 1 Bold indicates champions for that year. Italic indicates hosts for that year.
 
Goalscorers
    
There were 157 goals scored in 66 matches, for an average of 2.38 goals per match.
5 goals
4 goals
3 goals
 Osman Bukari
 Victor Osimhen
 Luther Singh
 Waleed Bakhet
2 goals
 Adem Zorgane
 Cédric Mavugo
 Eric Ayuk
 Guy Mbenza
 Jacques Thémopolé
 Pedro Oba
 Daouda Camara
 Yamoussa Camara
 Jules Keita
 Morlaye Sylla
 Willy Braciano
 Christian Kouamé
 James Mazembe
 Pistone Mutamba
 Diadié Samadiaré
 Abdoulaye Salou
 Ndifreke Udo
 Gilson
 Teboho Mokoena
 Enock Mwepu
1 goal
 Jaredi Teixeira
 Billel Benhammouda
 Aymen Mahious
 Gape Gaogangwe
 Mothusi Johnson
 Cédric Badolo
 Mody Cissé
 Bienvenue Kanakimana
 Muryango Mabano
 Victor Ekani
 Ignatius Ganago
 Martin Hongla
 Hervé Ngan
 Gerald Nodji
 Gaius Makouta
 Chandrel Matondo
 Nelson Balongo
 Ginola Mbuangi
 Peter Mutumosi
 Santiago Eneme
 Benjamín Ndong
 Salomón Obama
 Gcinwayinkhosi Dlamini
 Desta Demu
 Esrael Eshetu
 Amanuel Gebremichael
 Kenean Markneh
 Abubeker Sani
 Dauda Mohammed
 Bernard Tekpetey
 Nassam Yakubu
 Yaw Yeboah
 Mai Traoré
 Moussa Corso Traoré
 Youssouf Dao
 Anderson Niangbo
 Ibrahim Sangaré
 Cheick Timité
 Hamed Junior Traorè
 Sydney Lokale
 Ovella Ochieng
 Joseph Okumu
 Johnstone Omurwa
 Osama Albedwi
 Zakaria Alharaish
 Peter Banda
 Gregory Nachipo
 Siaka Bagayoko
 Aliou Dieng
 Bourama Doumbia
 Ibrahima Koné
 Aly Mallé
 Hassem Teguedi
 Fody Traoré
 Adel Langue
 Youssef En-Nesyri
 Sofian Kiyine
 Bonera
 Kairou Amoustapha
 Djibril Boubacar
 Aboubacar Hanhainikoye
 Mahamadou Sabo
 Taiwo Awoniyi
 Sunday Faleye
 Sunusi Ibrahim
 David Okereke
 Ibrahima Ndiaye
 Ryan Henriette
 Feisal Ahmed Hassan
 Lyle Foster
 Kobamelo Kodisang
 Phakamani Mahlambi
 Grant Margeman
 Thendo Mukumela
 Jamie Webber
 Peter Taku
 Makueth Wol
 Walaa Eldin Yaqoub
 Salumu Kiimbwa
 Habib Kyombo
 Mbaraka Yusuph
 Kossi Anika
 Thibault Klidje
 Nassim Hnid
 Habib Oueslati
 Wajdi Sahli
 Mustafa Kizza
 Obriel Chirinda
 Delic Murimba
1 own goal
 Goitseone Legopelo (against Malawi)
 Inoussa Amadou (against Ivory Coast)
 Don Fanchette (against Sudan)
Notes
    
- DR Congo were disqualified for fielding an ineligible (overaged) player.
 - The matches between Ghana and Togo, originally scheduled for 16 and 20 November 2018, were postponed to 18 and 22 December 2018 due to Ghana hosting the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations.[6]
 - Somalia played their home leg in Djibouti due to the Somali Civil War.
 - Libya played their home leg in Tunisia due to the Libyan Civil War.
 
References
    
- "DECISIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE - 23 SEPTEMBER 2017". www.cafonline.com. 23 September 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
 - "Qualifiers fixtures: Total U-23 Africa Cup of Nations - Egypt 2019". CAF. 2 October 2018.
 - "Qualifier Total U-23 AFCON, Egypt 2019" (PDF). CAF.
 - "Total AFCON U-23: Rescheduling of Third Round matches". CAF. 14 May 2019.
 - "Namibia Withdraw From 2019 AFCON 23s Qualifiers". www.cafonline.com. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
 - "U-23 AfconQ: Ghana-Togo tie moved to December". footy-ghana.com. 14 November 2018.
 - "Gambia dragged out of Olympic qualifiers". thepoint.gm. 8 October 2018.
 - "CAN U23 : le Cameroun de Rigobert Song qualifié par forfait". Afrik-Foot. 8 March 2019.
 - "ELIM CAN U23: LA RD CONGO DISQUALIFIÉE AU PROFIT DU MAROC". africatopsports.com. 24 April 2019.
 - "Fixtures of the Third Round of the U-23Q" (PDF). cafonline.com.
 
External links
    
- Qualifiers Of Total U-23 Africa Cup Of Nations, CAFOnline.com