CAF Nations
CAF is the Confederation of African Football that administers and controls the footballing operations for Africa’s footballing nations. It is the official body that represents football in the continent and is officially a confederation under FIFA.
CAF is the biggest confederation in world football and has 5 slots available for teams to represent the region at the FIFA World Cup.
Africa’s nations go through qualifiers to determine representation at the highest level and these nations are split into 6 zones basis location.
CAF Zone 1 – North Zone
Algeria
Algeria is one of the strongest teams in Africa. They are the current champions of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez is the biggest name in Algerian football and is the captain of the side.
Algeria has won the AFCON twice now and featured at the FIFA World Cup on 4 occasions.
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Egypt
The Egyptians have always been a force to reckon with in African football. They are the most successful African team with 7 AFCON titles.
They are spearheaded by the UEFA Champions League and English Premier League winner – Mohamed Salah. The Liverpool star has been integral to Egypt’s success over the last few years and The Pharaohs will be thankful for his presence.
Egypt has qualified for the FIFA World Cup thrice including the last World Cup in Russia in 2018.
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Libya
Libya’s football team has not been very successful in the AFCON. They have only qualified thrice for the competition. The last time was back in 2012. Their best finish was back in 1982, the first time they qualified for the tournament as they made the finals.
However, the Meditteranean Knights have never qualified for the FIFA World Cup and they may have to wait longer.
Morocco
Morocco has been one of the strongest teams in Africa, much like Egypt. The Atlas Lions have featured in the FIFA World Cup on 5 occasions and were the first African team to qualify for the round of 16 back in 1986.
They are captained by Wolves defender, Romain Saiss and have superstars – Hakim Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi amongst their ranks.
The Moroccans won the AFCON back in 1976 and recently were champions of the African Nations Championship in 2018.
Tunisia
Tunisia has typically done well in African qualifiers. They have won the AFCON once back in 2004 when they were the host nation. They finished 4th in 2019 when Egypt played host.
The Eagles of Carthage have qualified for the FIFA World Cup 5 times including the last FIFA World Cup that was held in Russia in 2018. The Tunisians also won the African Nations Champions back in 2011.
Without any superstar names, the Tunisians hold their own and always prove to be a tough matchup.
CAF Zone 2 – Zone West A
Cape Verde
The Blue Sharks have qualified for the AFCON on 2 occasions – 2013 and 2015 but have never qualified for the FIFA World Cup.
Gambia
The Scorpions have never qualified for the AFCON finals or the FIFA World Cup. They achieved their highest rank of 65 back in 2009.
Guinea
Guinea has a football team that can be competitive on any given day. They have never qualified for the FIFA World Cup but have had a pretty strong showing in the AFCON, finishing 2nd in 1976. They have consistently been making the quarter-finals too (2004, 2006, 2008 and 2015).
The side is captained by Liverpool’s Naby Keita and also features Paul Pogba’s brother – Florentin Pogba.
Guinea-Bissau
The Guinea-Bissau football team has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup but has made the AFCON on two occasions already, in 2017 and 2019. They look like one of the upcoming African nations and are no pushovers.
Their FIFA rank was as high as 26 till January 2017 but they have dropped into the 100s ever since.
Liberia
Liberia is home to one of the greatest to ever play the game – George Weah. Weah was the first non-European to win the FIFA Ballon d’Or.
Yet, the country has failed to succeed at the international stage. The Liberians have never qualified for the FIFA World Cup and have only managed to qualify for the AFCON on 2 occasions with their last feature in 2002.
Mali
The Eagles have one of the strongest youth systems in world football but have still failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.
They have, however, featured in 12 AFCON tournaments, with their best finish coming all the way back in 1972 when they made the final.
Seydou Keita is arguably Mali’s greatest ever footballer.
Mauritania
The Lions of Chinguetti qualified for their first-ever AFCON in 2019. They have never qualified for the FIFA World Cup, of course.
Senegal
The Lions of Teranga are one of the best African footballing nations but they have failed to live up to the hype.
They have qualified for the FIFA World Cup on 2 occasions including the last World Cup that was held in Russia in 2018. They also finished as the runners-up in the 2019 AFCON but given their star power, one would expect them to be winners at some point.
The side is captained by Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly who is one of the world’s best central defenders. They also have Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper – Edouard Mendy. The midfield is stacked with the likes of Ismailia Sarr and Cheikhou Kouyate. One must not forget that the Senegal side is led by Liverpool’s Sadio Mane up front.
Sierra Leone
The Leone Stars have never qualified for the FIFA World Cup. They have managed to qualify for the AFCON twice but all the way back in 1994 and 1996.
CAF Zone 3 – Zone West B
Benin
The Squirrels have failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup to date but have managed to qualify for the AFCON on 4 occasions in the recent past with their last qualification coming in 2019.
They are captained by Stephane Sessegnon who has the most goals and caps for his country.
Burkina Faso
The Stallions may have never qualified for the FIFA World Cup but they have been active in the AFCON. They have qualified on 11 occasions with their best finish coming in 2013 as they finished runners-up.
The side has some talented young strikers in Bertrand Traore and Lassina Traore.
Ghana
The Black Stars have always been a force to reckon with. Not only in African football but also on the global stage. Ghana qualified for their first-ever FIFA World Cup in 2006 and managed to reach the quarter-finals 4 years later in South Africa. They qualified for their third consecutive World Cup appearance in 2014.
Ghana went undefeated in 2005! They have won the AFCON 4 times and have finished as runners-up on 5 occasions.
Ghana is captained by Andre Ayew – the son of the great Abedi “Pele” Ayew. Andre Ayew’s brother is the talisman upfront for the Black Stars – Jordan Ayew.
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Ivory Coast
The Elephants are a mighty side in African football. Ivorians have played at the highest levels of European football and have succeeded with the likes of Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure leading the way.
Cote d’Ivoire qualified for 3 consecutive FIFA World Cups (2006, 2010 and 2014) but failed to make it in 2018. They are 2-time AFCON winners with their last victory coming in 2015.
The Ivorians have a talented squad currently as well with the likes of Tottenham’s Serge Aurier, Manchester United’s Eric Bailly, Wolves’ Willy Boly, Arsenal’s Nicolas Pepe, Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha and West Ham’s Sebastian Haller to name a few.
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Niger
Niger’s national football team has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup. They have only managed to qualify for 2 AFCON competitions back in 2012 and 2013.
Nigeria
The Super Eagles have always been a heavyweight in international football. They are 3-time AFCON winners.
The Nigerians have qualified for 6 of the last 7 FIFA World Cups including Russia in 2018.
They are currently captained by Ahmed Musa and have some talented players like Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Iheanacho and the starlet – Victor Osimhen.
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Togo
The Sparrowhawks made their FIFA World Cup debut in Germany in 2006 but have failed to qualify since.
They have qualified for the AFCON on 8 occasions and their best result came in 2013 when they reached the quarter-finals.
Arsenal great – Emmanuel Adebayor, is Togo’s greatest ever player having the most caps and goals for the nation.
CAF Zone 4 – Central Zone
Cameroon
Cameroon is the most successful African team in international football. They have qualified for 7 FIFA World Cups, more than any other African nation with their last qualification coming in 2014.
The Indomitable Lions have won the AFCON 5 times and also have an Olympic gold medal to their name in 2000.
One of the world’s greatest ever players – Samuel Eto’o, is Senegal’s record goalscorer. They are captained by Bayern Munich’s Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.
Central African Republic
The Wild Beasts have failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup and the AFCON so far.
They are captained by Atletico Madrid’s Geoffrey Kondogbia and are currently ranked in the 114 as per FIFA.
Chad
Just like Central African Republic, Chad has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup of the AFCON.
Congo
The Red Devils have never qualified for the FIFA World Cup but did win the AFCON back in 1972.
DR Congo
The Leopards qualified for the FIFA World Cup in 1974 and are two-time winners of the AFCON (1968 and 1974).
They are also 2-time winners of the African Nations Championship with their last win coming in 2016.
Yannick Bolasie and Arthur Masuaku are two players who feature in the English Premier League.
Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup. They have also failed to qualify for the AFCON however, have participated in 2 tournaments when they were the hosts through automatic qualification.
Gabon
The Panthers have failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup so far but they have qualified for the AFCON on 7 occasions.
Gabon is led by Arsenal superstar – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. He is also his country’s leading goalscorer.
São Tomé and Príncipe
The Falcons and True Parrots Team have never qualified for the FIFA World Cup or AFCON but they are massive football lovers.
A lot of their players have been nicknamed after the footballing greats like Iniesta, Pogba, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.
CAF Zone 5 – Central-East Zone
Burundi
The Swallows have only managed to qualify for the AFCON once and that was in 2019. The country has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup either.
They are captained by Saido Berahino.
Djibouti
The Shoremen of the Red Sea have never qualified for any major international tournament.
They are ranked 184 currently by FIFA.
Eritrea
The Red Sea Boys have also never qualified for the FIFA World Cup or the AFCON.
Eritrea’s local side – Red Sea FC are the major contributors to their national team.
Ethiopia
The Ethiopian football team has 1 AFCON title to its name back in 1962 when it played host.
They qualified for the AFCON for the 10th time in 2013 after a 31-year hiatus but have failed to qualify since then.
Like Eritrea, most Ethiopian players play their football domestically.
Kenya
Kenya is not only cricket crazy. The Harambee Stars may have failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup so far but they have qualified for the AFCON 6 times including 2019.
They have never progressed beyond the group stages, however.
The Kenyan side is led by midfielder – Victor Wanyama.
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Rwanda
The Wasps have failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup so far and managed to qualify for the AFCON on just 1 occasion back in 2004.
They have faired decently in the African Nations Championship, qualifying thrice with their best finish in 2016 as they made the quarterfinals.
Somalia
The Ocean Stars have never qualified for a major international tournament.
They currently hold a FIFA rank of 197.
South Sudan
The Bright Stars are yet to qualify for any major international tournament and currently hold a FIFA rank of 163.
Sudan
The Falcons of Jediane have failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup so far but have made 8 AFCON appearances.
They won the cup back in 1970 when they were the host nation but have failed to qualify since 2012 when they made the quarterfinals.
They finished 3rd on both the times they featured in the African Nations Championship (2011 and 2018).
Tanzania
The Taifa Stars have never made it to the biggest stage of them all at the FIFA World Cup but they have qualified for the AFCON twice.
The first time was back in 1980 and they did the same finally in 2019.
Most of Tanzania’s squad members play in the country itself at the club level.
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Uganda
The Cranes have never qualified for the FIFA World Cup but they have managed to qualify for the AFCON 7 times.
Their best success came back in 1978 when they finished as the runners-up. In 2019, they managed to make the round of 16.
Unlike most African nations, almost every player in the Uganda national squad plays club football outside the country.
Read MoreCAF Zone 6 – Southern Zone
Angola
The Giant Sable Antelopes featured in the 2006 FIFA World Cup as they were knocked out in the group stages. Since then, Angola has failed to qualify for the World Cup.
Angola has qualified for the AFCON 8 times and their best finish has been the quarterfinals (2008 and 2010).
Botswana
The Zebras have only qualified for 1 AFCON back in 2012 but have failed to qualify for any other major international football tournament.
They are currently ranked 146 in world football.
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Comoros
The Comoros football team has failed to qualify for any major football tournament in its history.
Most of the national team players play their domestic football in France.
Eswatini
The King’s Shield has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup or AFCON.
All of the members of the current national squad play their domestic football in Eritrea itself.
The nation has a ranking of 153 currently.
Lesotho
The Crocodiles have never qualified for a major international football tournament.
They are currently ranked 143 in the world and have most of their players coming up domestically itself.
Madagascar
Madagascar has been a team that did surprisingly well in 2019. After no success till 2019, it was a huge boost for the country’s football system.
The nation had not qualified for any major tournament till the 2019 AFCON when they made the quarterfinals to finish 6th overall.
Malawi
The Flames have never featured at the FIFA World Cup. They have, however, qualified for the AFCON on 2 occasions – 1984 and 2010.
Mauritius
Mauritius has managed to qualify for just 1 AFCON back in 1974. They have failed to feature in any major international tournament since then.
The team is currently ranked 172 in the world.
Mozambique
Mozambique has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup.
They have participated in 4 AFCONs but have failed to make it through the group stages on all occasions.
The team is currently ranked 106 in the world.
Namibia
The Brave Warriors have never qualified for the FIFA World Cup but they have managed to qualify for 3 AFCON tournaments.
Like Mozambique, Namibia has failed to progress beyond the group stages as well.
The nation is currently ranked 119 in world football.
Seychelles
The small island nation has failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup and AFCON.
The Pirates are currently ranked 202 in world football.
South Africa
Bafana Bafana has featured in the World Cup 3 times including 2010 when they were the host nation.
They have qualified for the AFCON 10 times and won the competition back in 1996.
South Africa is currently ranked 71 in the world.
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Zambia
The Copper Bullets may have never qualified for the FIFA World Cup to date but their infamous 2012 victory in the AFCON will always be cherished and fondly remembered by Zambians.
Zambia has made 17 appearances in the AFCON with their last appearance back in 2015. They have failed to qualify since.
The team is currently ranked 90 as per FIFA.
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Zimbabwe
The Warriors have qualified for the AFCON 4 times including the 2019 tournament but they have never progressed beyond the group stage.
The nation has failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup so far and is currently ranked 108 in world football.
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