Former Champions and Finalists Chasing a Long-Awaited AFCON Return in 2027 Qualifying
Photo: CAF
Congo, Niger, Libya, Rwanda and Liberia have all missed multiple consecutive AFCON finals. Here's how each side's history and recent near-misses shape their AFCON PAMOJA 2027 qualifying campaign.
The Africa Cup of Nations has welcomed a growing number of nations to its finals over the last decade — but several sides with genuine history in the competition have spent that same period on the outside looking in. Across the last five editions (Gabon 2017 through Morocco 2025), a number of former participants have simply failed to qualify.
As AFCON PAMOJA 2027 qualifying kicks off, here are five teams with real pedigree, all hoping this is finally the campaign that ends their wait.
Congo — last appearance 2015
The most decorated name on this list. Congo were crowned African champions in 1972 and were regular contenders through that era, appearing in 1968, 1972, 1974 and 1978 before later returning in 1992 and 2000.
After a 15-year absence, Claude Le Roy guided them back for Equatorial Guinea 2015 — where they topped a group containing the hosts, Gabon and Burkina Faso before a thrilling 4-2 quarter-final loss to neighbours DR Congo. It was their seventh finals appearance. They haven't been back since, missing five consecutive editions through 2025, most recently finishing third in their qualifying group behind South Africa and Uganda.
Niger — last appearance 2013
Niger's finest period came at the start of the previous decade: back-to-back qualifications for Gabon/Equatorial Guinea 2012 and South Africa 2013 remain their only two appearances at the finals.
They came agonisingly close to breaking the drought for Morocco 2025 — a 4-0 win over Sudan and a 2-1 win in Accra against Ghana on the final matchday weren't quite enough, finishing a single point short after Sudan drew with Angola. Niger have now missed six straight tournaments.
Libya — last appearance 2012
Only three finals appearances, but real pedigree — as hosts in 1982, Libya reached the final itself, losing to Ghana on penalties. They returned in 2006 and 2012, but nothing since: seven consecutive missed editions, an especially notable absence given the strength and tradition of North African football.
Their most recent near-miss for Morocco 2025 saw them finish fourth in a tight group behind Nigeria, Benin and Rwanda, a goalless draw at home to Benin on the final matchday ending their hopes.
Rwanda — last appearance 2004
Few countries came closer to ending their wait for Morocco 2025 than Rwanda. Their only finals appearance remains Tunisia 2004, where they beat DR Congo and drew with Guinea before narrowly missing the knockout stages.
More than two decades later, they nearly made it back — a stunning 2-1 win away to Nigeria on the final day of qualifying left them level on points with Benin, only for Benin to take the second spot on head-to-head record.
Liberia — last appearance 2002
Liberia's two finals appearances came during the era of George Weah, their greatest-ever player. They made their debut at South Africa 1996, beating Gabon 2-1, and returned for Mali 2002, drawing with hosts Mali and Algeria before a narrow defeat to Nigeria ended their campaign — with Weah among the scorers.
There's been no return since. Their Morocco 2025 qualifying campaign ended behind Algeria, Equatorial Guinea and Togo in Group E.
What it means for PAMOJA 2027
All five nations enter this qualifying cycle carrying real history but genuine uncertainty. None of them are drawn against each other in the opening groups, meaning each will have to earn their return independently — and given how close several came to breaking through for Morocco 2025, this campaign is genuinely worth following for anyone who likes an underdog story.
Following the whole qualifying picture
Whichever nations end up completing the 24-team field for PAMOJA 2027, the Cantravu Experience Card is worth having ready — one prepaid card, spent across 100+ experiences in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Historical and qualifying information sourced from CAF's official report, 16 September 2026.
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