Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast both qualified for next year’s 24-team tournament on Wednesday despite not playing – and that theme continued on Thursday.

Central African Republic had to win away to Lesotho in order to put pressure on Gabon in Group B, but a 1-0 defeat in Bloemfontein means CAR’s wait for their Nations Cup debut will continue for at least another two years.

Congo-Brazzaville also needed three points from their trip to South Sudan in Group K, but finished with 10 men as they lost 3-2 in Juba.

That result handed qualification to group leaders Uganda, who will be back at the finals for the first time since 2019, and South Africa.

Ali Abdi was the hero for Tunisia against Madagascar in Group A, netting just four minutes after Wajdi Kechrida was sent off.

The Malagasy had twice fought back from a goal down, and were eliminated after being denied a point in the closing stages.

Elsewhere, Libya kept their faint chances alive in Group D as Fahd Saad Mohamed struck a late winner against Rwanda in Malawi.

Benin would have joined Nigeria at the finals with victory in Abidjan, and led at the break through Mohamed Tijani.

The Cheetahs – formerly known as the Squirrels – had to settle for a draw and must now avoid defeat against Libya on Monday to secure second place in the group.

There are 10 matches scheduled on Friday, when Botswana, Comoros, Mali, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe all have a chance to qualify.