Reigning African champions, Nigeria, will not defend their title in Equatorial Guinea after failing to qualify on Wednesday.
In the final round of matches, Nigeria were held 2-2 by South Africa in Uyo, meaning they finished outside of their group’s top two automatic qualification spots with eight points – a total that also put them out of the running to be the best third-placed team.
South Africa had already assured their place at the tournament, which will be played from 17 January to 8 February, and only one spot is still outstanding.
Nigeria went into the game against South Africa with their fate in their own hands – win and they would claim second spot in the table and a place in the finals alongside group winners Bafana Bafana.
But the Super Eagles blew their chance to prevent a troubled campaign from turning disastrous, even though they fought back from two goals down to finish with a draw.
The writing was on the wall for Stephen Keshi’s side, who have been plagued by both on and off the pitch problems, when Tokelo Rantie scored a goal either side of half-time to put the visitors firmly in control.
Sone Aluko pulled a goal back on 68 minutes and Nigerian hopes were raised further when South Africa’s Renielwe Letsholonyane was sent off.
In added time Aluko levelled the scores but it was too late for the home side and they once more miss out on playing in Equatorial Guinea, as they did when the country co-hosted the tournament in 2012.
Instead, the runners-up spot in the table – and a place in the finals – was secured by Congo, who beat Sudan 1-0.
Congo Brazzaville, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Guinea, Mali and DR Congo all claimed their tickets to the continent’s showpiece event with their results on Wednesday.
