Holders Ivory Coast and Equatorial Guinea became the latest countries to qualify for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals but did not have to kick a ball to do so, as the penultimate round of qualifiers began on Wednesday.

Holders Ivory Coast and Equatorial Guinea have become the latest countries to qualify for next year's Africa Cup of Nations finals but did not have to kick a ball to do so, as the penultimate round of qualifiers began.

Holders Ivory Coast and Equatorial Guinea became the latest countries to qualify for next year's Africa Cup of Nations finals.

While Algeria have already written their name in the book of qualified nations at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament, Equatorial Guinea could join their upcoming opponents on that list when the two sides meet at Neuvo Estadio de Malabo on Thursday afternoon.