Overview
Group D of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification stage was one of twelve groups that decided which national teams would reach the final tournament. The group contained four teams: Algeria, Benin, Gambia and Togo. Each side played the others twice, with home and away fixtures determining the group standings.
Competition format
The qualification round used a double round-robin system. Teams earned three points for a win, one for a draw and none for a loss. Standard tie-breakers such as head-to-head results, goal difference and goals scored were applied when teams finished level on points. With the finals expanded to 24 teams for 2019, the qualification route advanced the top two teams from each group to the continental finals.
Teams and characteristics
- Algeria — a North African side with a history of strong continental performances and a large pool of professional players across European leagues.
- Benin — a West African team that has periodically upset higher-ranked opponents in qualifiers and regional competitions.
- Gambia — among the smaller footballing nations by population, focused on building cohesion and experience at senior level.
- Togo — a West African nation that has appeared at previous Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and relied on a mix of domestic and overseas players.
Significance and legacy
Group-stage qualification matches serve multiple purposes: they determine participation in the continental finals, affect FIFA and regional rankings, and provide competitive exposure for players and coaches. For supporters and federations, performance in a group like this can influence funding, coaching appointments and player development priorities. Detailed match results, fixtures and final standings for the group can be consulted on the official competition pages and national association reports linked to the group entry above.