2019 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualification 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) Fashion Sakala (5 goals)← 2015 2023 →
International football competition
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 .
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. 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. 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
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. 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.
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.
The seven winners of the third round qualified for the final tournament.
First round
16 November 2018 (2018-11-16)16:00 UTC+1 Estádio 11 de Novembro , Luanda Referee: Blaise Ngwa (Cameroon )
20 November 2018 (2018-11-20)19:00 UTC+2 Sam Nujoma Stadium , Windhoek Referee: Lazard Tsiba (Congo )
Angola won on walkover after Namibia withdrew.
16 November 2018 (2018-11-16)18:00 UTC+2 Estádio do Zimpeto , Maputo Referee: Georges Gatogato (Burundi )
20 November 2018 (2018-11-20)15:00 UTC+2 Mavuso Sports Centre , Manzini Referee: Tirelo Mositwane (Botswana )
1–1 on aggregate. Mozambique won on away goals.
17 November 2018 (2018-11-17)16:00 UTC+2 Botswana National Stadium , Gaborone Referee: Thando Ndzandzeka (South Africa )
20 November 2018 (2018-11-20)14:30 UTC+2 Kamuzu Stadium , Blantyre Referee: Celso Alvação (Mozambique )
Malawi won 3–2 on aggregate.
14 November 2018 (2018-11-14)15:00 UTC+2 Prince Louis Rwagasore Stadium , Bujumbura Referee: Tsegay Mogos (Eritrea )
20 November 2018 (2018-11-20)19:00 UTC+3 National Stadium , Dar es Salaam Referee: Diraneh Guedi (Djibouti )
3–3 on aggregate. Burundi won on away goals.
18 December 2018 (2018-12-18)15:30 UTC±0 Baba Yara Stadium , Kumasi Referee: Issa Sy (Senegal )
22 December 2018 (2018-12-22)16:00 UTC±0 Stade Municipal , Lomé Referee: Beida Dahane (Mauritania )
Ghana won 5–2 on aggregate.
14 November 2018 (2018-11-14)18:00 UTC+1 Estadio de Malabo , Malabo Referee: Mohamed Ali Moussa (Niger )
20 November 2018 (2018-11-20)15:00 UTC+1 Estádio Nacional 12 de Julho , São Tomé Referee: Fabricio Duarte (Cape Verde )
Equatorial Guinea won 4–2 on aggregate.
16 November 2018 (2018-11-16)15:30 UTC+1 Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo , Yaoundé Referee: Pierre Atcho (Gabon )
20 November 2018 (2018-11-20)15:00 UTC+1 Stade Omnisports Idriss Mahamat Ouya , N'Djamena Referee: Adissa Ligali (Benin )
Cameroon won 4–1 on aggregate.
14 November 2018 (2018-11-14)16:30 UTC+3 Phillip Omondi Stadium , Kampala Referee: Ahmed Hassan (Egypt )
20 November 2018 (2018-11-20)16:00 UTC+3 Juba Stadium , Juba Referee: Omar Artan (Somalia )
South Sudan won 2–1 on aggregate.
16 November 2018 (2018-11-16)18:00 UTC±0 Stade du 4 Août , Ouagadougou Referee: Nabil Boukhalfa (Algeria )
20 November 2018 (2018-11-20)16:00 UTC+1 Stade Général Seyni Kountché , Niamey Referee: Quadri Adebimpe (Nigeria )
Niger won 4–2 on aggregate.
14 November 2018 (2018-11-14)17:00 UTC±0 Stade Cheikha Ould Boïdiya , Nouakchott Referee: Samir Guezzaz (Morocco )
20 November 2018 (2018-11-20)16:30 UTC±0 Stade du 28 Septembre , Conakry Referee: Daniel Laryea (Ghana )
Guinea won 6–2 on aggregate.
14 November 2018 (2018-11-14)17:30 UTC+4 Stade Linité , Victoria Referee: Tewodros Mitiku (Ethiopia )
20 November 2018 (2018-11-20)19:30 UTC+2 Khartoum Stadium , Khartoum Referee: Ali Sabilla (Uganda )
Sudan won 2–1 on aggregate.
14 November 2018 (2018-11-14)16:00 UTC+3 Moi International Sports Centre , Nairobi Referee: Nsoro Ruzindana (Rwanda )
18 November 2018 (2018-11-18)15:00 UTC+4 Anjalay Stadium , Belle Vue Maurel Referee: Andofetra Rakotojaona (Madagascar )
Kenya won 8–1 on aggregate.
14 November 2018 (2018-11-14)
18 November 2018 (2018-11-18)
Libya won on walkover after Gambia withdrew.
14 November 2018 (2018-11-14)15:30 UTC+2 Umuganda Stadium , Gisenyi Referee: Kalilou Traoré (Ivory Coast )
20 November 2018 (2018-11-20)16:00 UTC+1 Stade des Martyrs , Kinshasa Referee: Peter Waweru (Kenya )
DR Congo won 5–0 on aggregate.
14 November 2018 (2018-11-14)16:00 UTC+3 Addis Ababa Stadium , Addis Ababa Referee: Haythem Guirat (Tunisia )
20 November 2018 (2018-11-20)15:30 UTC+3 El Hadj Hassan Gouled Aptidon Stadium , Djibouti (Djibouti )Referee: Elsiddig El Treefe (Sudan )
Ethiopia won 4–1 on aggregate.
Second round
22 March 2019 (2019-03-22)16:00 UTC+1 Estádio 11 de Novembro , Luanda Referee: Lebalang Mokete (Lesotho )
26 March 2019 (2019-03-26)19:00 UTC+2 Bidvest Stadium , Johannesburg Referee: Audrick Nkole (Zambia )
South Africa won 6–1 on aggregate.
22 March 2019 (2019-03-22)16:00 UTC+2 Estádio do Zimpeto , Maputo Referee: Attisso Attiogbe (Togo )
26 March 2019 (2019-03-26)15:00 UTC+2 National Sports Stadium , Harare Referee: Thulani Sibandze (Eswatini )
Zimbabwe won 2–0 on aggregate.
20 March 2019 (2019-03-20)14:30 UTC+2 Kamuzu Stadium , Blantyre Referee: Imtehaz Heeralall (Mauritius )
24 March 2019 (2019-03-24)15:00 UTC+2 National Heroes Stadium , Lusaka Referee: Blaise Ngwa (Cameroon )
Zambia won 2–0 on aggregate.
20 March 2019 (2019-03-20)15:00 UTC+2 Prince Louis Rwagasore Stadium , Bujumbura Referee: Celso Alvação (Mozambique )
26 March 2019 (2019-03-26)15:30 UTC+1 Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat , Brazzaville Referee: Nomore Musundire (Zimbabwe )
Congo won 2–1 on aggregate.
23 March 2019 (2019-03-23)15:00 UTC±0 Accra Sports Stadium , Accra Referee: Jean-Marc Ganamandji (Central African Republic )
26 March 2019 (2019-03-26)15:30 UTC+1 Stade Augustin Monédan de Sibang , Libreville Referee: Kalilou Traoré (Ivory Coast )
Ghana won 4–0 on aggregate.
23 March 2019 (2019-03-23)18:00 UTC+1 Estadio de Malabo , Malabo Referee: Abdoulaye Rhissa (Niger )
26 March 2019 (2019-03-26)17:00 UTC+1 Stade du 5 Juillet 1962 , Algiers Referee: Louis Houngnandande (Benin )
Algeria won 3–1 on aggregate.
21 March 2019 (2019-03-21)15:30 UTC+1 Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo , Yaoundé
24 March 2019 (2019-03-24)
Cameroon won on walkover due to FIFA's suspension of the Sierra Leone Football Association .
20 March 2019 (2019-03-20)16:00 UTC+3 Juba Stadium , Juba Referee: Omar Artan (Somalia )
24 March 2019 (2019-03-24)15:00 UTC+1 Stade du 7 Mars , Ben Gardane Referee: Abdulwahid Huraywidah (Libya )
Tunisia won 1–0 on aggregate.
22 March 2019 (2019-03-22)16:30 UTC+1 Stade Général Seyni Kountché , Niamey Referee: Alhadi Mahamat (Chad )
25 March 2019 (2019-03-25)17:00 UTC±0 Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny , Abidjan Referee: Bashir Salisu (Nigeria )
Ivory Coast won 8–2 on aggregate.
20 March 2019 (2019-03-20)16:30 UTC±0 Stade du 28 Septembre , Conakry Referee: Fitial Kokolo (Congo )
24 March 2019 (2019-03-24)18:00 UTC±0 Stade Lat Dior , Thiès Referee: Babacar Sarr (Mauritania )
Guinea won 2–1 on aggregate.
20 March 2019 (2019-03-20)19:00 UTC+2 Al-Merrikh Stadium , Omdurman Referee: Ibrahim Nour El Din (Egypt )
26 March 2019 (2019-03-26)16:00 UTC+3 Moi International Sports Centre , Kasarani Referee: Andofetra Rakotojaona (Madagascar )
Sudan won 2–0 on aggregate.
20 March 2019 (2019-03-20)16:00 UTC+1 Stade du 7 Mars , Ben Gardane (Tunisia )Referee: Daniel Laryea (Ghana )
25 March 2019 (2019-03-25)16:00 UTC+1 Stephen Keshi Stadium , Asaba Referee: Anthony Ogwayo (Kenya )
Nigeria won 4–2 on aggregate.
20 March 2019 (2019-03-20)15:30 UTC+1 Stade des Martyrs , Kinshasa Referee: Eric Otogo-Castane (Gabon )
24 March 2019 (2019-03-24)19:00 UTC+1 Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium , Rabat Referee: Louis Hakizimana (Rwanda )
DR Congo won 2–1 on aggregate. However, they were later disqualified for fielding an ineligible (overaged) player, and Morocco won on walkover.
21 March 2019 (2019-03-21)16:00 UTC+3 Addis Ababa Stadium , Addis Ababa Referee: Jackson Pavaza (Namibia )
26 March 2019 (2019-03-26)17:00 UTC±0 Stade Modibo Kéïta , Bamako Referee: Gilberto Dos Santos (Guinea-Bissau )
Mali won 5–1 on aggregate.
Third round
Winners qualified for 2019 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations .
6 September 2019 (2019-09-06)19:00 UTC+2 Orlando Stadium , Johannesburg Referee: António Caluassi Dungula (Angola )
10 September 2019 (2019-09-10)15:00 UTC+2 Barbourfields Stadium , Bulawayo Referee: Tshepo Mokani Gobagoba (Botswana )
South Africa won 5–0 on aggregate.
4 September 2019 (2019-09-04)18:00 UTC+2 National Heroes Stadium , Lusaka Referee: Ibrahim Ben Tsimanohitsy (Madagascar )
8 September 2019 (2019-09-08)15:30 UTC+1 Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat , Brazzaville Referee: Isidore Essono Nze (Gabon )
Zambia won 5–4 on aggregate.
6 September 2019 (2019-09-06)15:30 UTC±0 Accra Sports Stadium , Accra Referee: Kouassi Frederic Francois Biro (Ivory Coast )
10 September 2019 (2019-09-10)20:45 UTC+1 Stade 8 Mai 1945 , Sétif Referee: Jalal Jayed (Morocco )
Ghana won 2–1 on aggregate.
6 September 2019 (2019-09-06)15:30 UTC+1 Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo , Yaoundé Referee: Fitial Charel Just Kokolo (Congo )
10 September 2019 (2019-09-10)19:00 UTC+1 Stade Olympique de Radès , Radès Referee: Mohamed Adel Elsaid Hussien (Egypt )
2–2 on aggregate. Cameroon won on away goals.
7 September 2019 (2019-09-07)17:00 UTC±0 Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny , Abidjan Referee: Yelebodom Gado Mawabwe Bodjona (Togo )
10 September 2019 (2019-09-10)16:00 UTC±0 Stade du 28 Septembre , Conakry Referee: Jerry Yekeh (Liberia )
2–2 on aggregate. Ivory Coast won on away goals.
5 September 2019 (2019-09-05)19:00 UTC+2 Al-Merrikh Stadium , Omdurman Referee: Souleiman Ahmed Djama (Djibouti )
10 September 2019 (2019-09-10)16:00 UTC+1 Stephen Keshi Stadium , Asaba Referee: Bangaly Konaté (Guinea )
Nigeria won 5–1 on aggregate.
7 September 2019 (2019-09-07)20:00 UTC+1 Stade de Marrakech , Marrakesh Referee: Daouda Guèye (Senegal )
10 September 2019 (2019-09-10)16:30 UTC±0 Stade Modibo Kéïta , Bamako Referee: Omar Sallah (Gambia )
Mali won 2–1 on aggregate.
Qualified teams
The following eight teams qualified for the final tournament.
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
2 goals
1 goal
1 own goal
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 .
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
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