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Equatorial Guinea<\/a> and Ivory Coast both qualified for next year’s 24-team tournament on Wednesday despite not playing – and that theme continued on Thursday.<\/p>\n Central African Republic<\/b> had to win away to Lesotho<\/b> 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.<\/p>\n Congo-Brazzaville<\/b> also needed three points from their trip to South Sudan<\/b> in Group K, but finished with 10 men as they lost 3-2 in Juba.<\/p>\n That result handed qualification to group leaders Uganda, who will be back at the finals for the first time since 2019, and South Africa.<\/p>\n Ali Abdi was the hero for Tunisia<\/b> against Madagascar<\/b> in Group A, netting just four minutes after Wajdi Kechrida was sent off.<\/p>\n The Malagasy had twice fought back from a goal down, and were eliminated after being denied a point in the closing stages.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, Libya<\/b> kept their faint chances alive in Group D as Fahd Saad Mohamed struck a late winner against Rwanda<\/b> in Malawi.<\/p>\n Benin <\/b>would have joined Nigeria<\/b> at the finals with victory in Abidjan, and led at the break through Mohamed Tijani.<\/p>\n