Johannesburg to host 2025 AFCON qualifying draw

English Woman's Journal - Johannesburg to host 2025 AFCON qualifying draw

Johannesburg to host 2025 AFCON qualifying draw / Photo: FRANCK FIFE - AFP

Title-holders the Ivory Coast and tournament hosts Morocco are among 48 countries to be divided into 12 groups of four with the winners and runners-up in 11 advancing to the 24-team finals.

Morocco are guaranteed a finals place as hosts, but will take part to gain competitive match practice. This means just one of other teams in their mini-league will qualify.

Double qualifying matchdays are scheduled for September 2-10, October 7-15 and November 11-19 this year.

The nations ranked one to 44 qualified automatically for the draw and Chad, Eswatini, Liberia and South Sudan won play-offs.

Originally scheduled for June-July 2025, the Cup of Nations is expected to be played later as the dates clash with the inaugural Club World Cup in the United States.

"Discussions (regarding dates) are well advanced with the stakeholders," CAF secretary general Veron Mosengo-Omba has told AFP, adding that a decision would be announced "soon".

Shifting the tournament to the beginning of 2026 "is in the air, but there is nothing official", said a CAF source.

While other continental championships are held every four years, the Cup of Nations is a two-yearly event as it provides most of the CAF income through TV rights and advertising.

Plans to stage it in mid year to avoid a clash with the European club season began in 2019 when Egypt played hosts in searing heat.

Fears that torrential seasonal rain could disrupt subsequent editions in Cameroon and the Ivory Coast led to January-February tournaments.

Stars like prolific Liverpool scorer Mohamed Salah had to leave European clubs in mid season, and a hamstring injury during the group phase of the 2024 tournament lengthened his absence.

P.Munro--EWJ

Paul George Scores 36 as Celtics Defeat Sixers 123-101 to Take East Lead

The Boston Celtics claimed first place in the Eastern Conference on Tuesday night, defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 123-101 at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Paul George led all scorers with 36 points in his return to Philadelphia, while a decisive third-quarter run extended Boston's lead and dropped the Sixers to second place.

Mets President David Stearns Expresses Confidence in Marcus Semien's Motivation

New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns has identified Marcus Semien’s self-motivation as the primary factor in his potential recovery from an underwhelming debut season. Speaking at the general managers meetings in Las Vegas, Stearns affirmed that the team remains confident in Semien’s ability to improve, even as they evaluate other infield options for next year.

FA Cup Second-Round Draw Confirmed for Non-League and Midlands Clubs

The FA Cup second-round draw has been finalized, setting up crucial ties for non-league teams aiming to reach the third round proper. Several clubs from the Midlands, including Burton Albion and Kidderminster Harriers, have secured their next opponents following recent victories over lower-league opposition.

Panthers expected to begin 2027 NRL season away from new stadium

The new Penrith Stadium is expected to be ready in time for the opening round of the 2027 NRL season, but it’s still likely the Panthers is expected to be on the road for their early matches. There is no delay to the build of the new $309 million venue but there’s a lack of appetite for risk around weather delays through the summer.