( CNN ) -- The final round of qualifiers for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations threw up a few surprises , the most notable of which being holders Nigeria bowing out . The results of Wednesday evening also presented some potential logistical issues , as Guinea progressed to the finals next January , highlighting the problems that Ebola fears may cloud the event . The ruling African football body , CAF , last week removed Morocco as host , handing hosting duties to 2012 co-host Equatorial Guinea . The North African country had voiced concerns over the spread of the deadly disease in a number of West African countries and requested a postponement . As a further consequence , its team has been expelled from the competition , . The controversy had threatened to overwhelm the final round of games , played out this week , but by the end of Wednesday the 16 teams who will travel to the finals were known . Elephants ease into Finals . Ivory Coast qualified behind Group D winner Cameroon after a goalless draw between the two teams . The result was enough to fend off a late challenge from DR Congo after its 3-1 victory over Sierra Leone in the Congolese capital of Kinshasa . DR Congo 's result , however , helped the team garner an impressive total of nine points , which saw the Leopards progress as the best-performing third place team from the seven groups , narrowly beating the reigning champions Nigeria to the remaining qualifying spot . Super Eagles crash out . Nigeria has been a regular fixture in the finals of the competition since its early days , but will be a notable absentee in Equatorial Guinea , mirroring 2010 holders Egypt in failing to qualify for the following edition of the tournament in 2012 . The Super Eagles were held 2-2 by South Africa in Uyo , giving second-place in Group A to Congo , as the team recorded a 1-0 victory over Sudan in Khartoum . The South Africans topped Group A with 12 points from their qualifying campaign . Niger and Mozambique played out a dead rubber with a 1-1 draw , with fellow Group F teams Cape Verde and Zambia already having qualified before kick-off on Wednesday . Burkina Faso 's draw with Angola was also largely academic , the west African nation having already joined Gabon in qualifying from Group C. Keita magic . Meanwhile , Mali booked their spot for the seventh consecutive time with a standout performance from captain Seydou Keita . The Roma midfielder opened the scoring with a well-taken penalty . Mali finished runners-up in Group B behind Algeria . A poor showing in Tunisia by Egypt saw the 2010 champions lose 2-1 , and miss out on a place at the finals . Ghana 's Black Stars ensured they progressed from Group F with a routine 3-1 win over neighbors Togo . They will be joined in the finals by Guinea , after a 2-0 victory over Uganda in the Moroccan city of Casablanca -- Ebola fears in the West African country ruling out home matches for the time being . The Ebola crisis threatens to loom large over the tournament . Host country of the finals , Equatorial Guinea , was disqualified earlier in the qualifying tournament for fielding an ineligible player , but were later reinstated . The final 16 . South Africa . Congo . Algeria . Mali . Gabon . Burkina Faso . Cameroon . Ivory Coast . Ghana . Guinea . Cape Verde . Zambia . Tunisia . Senegal . DR Congo ( best third-place team ) Equatorial Guinea ( automatically qualify as hosts )
2013 Champion Nigeria bow out following 2-2 draw with South Africa . Controversy over Guinea 's participation linked to Ebola outbreak . Ivory Coast book their place . TL;DR