AFCON
South Africans Suggest Possible Captains to Coach Baxter
As the riddle on who should captain Coach Stuart Baxter’s selection continues ahead of the potential explosive clash with the Super Eagles on Saturday, South African coaches and media organizations are suggesting possible candidates to the coach who is making his ‘second missionary’ journey to the squad.
His predecessor, Ephraim Mashaba, reportedly operated rotational captaincy that saw different players wearing the captain’s band in matches.
Baxter announced a 25-man list about two weeks ago, but was silent on who will captain the team. He reportedly spoke with the coach of South African club side, Gavin Hunt of Bidvest Wits on possible team composition.
There are three Bidvest Wits players in the selection by Baxter. It is not clear whether he would pick any of the trio as skipper. They were part of South African league title winners. They are: Goalkeeper Darren Keet and defenders Thulani Hlatshwayo and Sifiso Hlanti.
Sports Village Square gathered from Sport24 of South Africa that Hunt has suggested one of his players, Thulani Hlatshwayo as a captain. The defender has reportedly captained South Africa on some occasions.
The publication quoting another medium, Sowetan Live, reported Hunt as saying:
“Well I think if you’re going to go into a new era, new dawn, new feel, and you want to build your team, I mean he (Hlatshwayo) is the perfect guy to build your team around”.
Other possible candidates as suggested by the media are:
Itumeleng Khune –
Khune is the captain of Kaizer Chiefs and has been the most regularly used South African captain over the past few years. He has experience playing in big games both domestically and internationally.
Thulani Hlatshwayo –
Arguably the most in-form defender in South Africa this season, and the man who will lift the Absa Premiership trophy for Bidvest Wits on Saturday. A warrior on the field and a player who has captained Bafana in the past, ‘Tyson’ is someone who will lead by example.
Dean Furman –
As captain of SuperSport United and a player who wears his heart on his sleeve. Furman is also a contender. He’s a fierce competitor in the middle of the park, with experience of having captained clubs in both South Africa and England, also donning the Bafana armband on numerous occasions.
Hlompho Kekana –
As captain of Mamelodi Sundowns. Kekana has proven himself time and again for both club and country, playing a leading role in helping Masandawana to two CAF trophies in the last few months. He’s a player with impeccable work ethic and highly respected by his teammates.
Ramahlwe Mphahlele –
‘Rama’ is no longer the captain of his club side since leaving Sundowns last year, however, he’s been one of the few standout performers for the Amakhosi this season. A proven professional who only appears in the news for the right reasons, Mphahlele could be an option for Baxter. Captained South Africa at youth level.
Andile Jali –
Jali was the last man to captain Bafana as he led them out against Angola in March and his reputation as being a blood and guts kind of midfielder may be the sort of thing Baxter is looking for. Lots of CAF experience with Orlando Pirates and currently playing in Europe.
Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has praised Morocco’s King Mohammed VI for what he described as a powerful gesture of unity and reconciliation following the royal pardon granted to Senegalese supporters convicted over offences linked to the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement released on Saturday, Motsepe expressed deep appreciation on behalf of CAF’s 54 member associations, hailing the Moroccan monarch’s decision as a demonstration of football’s ability to foster peace and solidarity across the continent.
“I would like to express our deep gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, for granting His Royal Pardon to the Senegalese supporters convicted of offences relating to the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025,” Motsepe stated.
The CAF president said the pardon reflected Morocco’s enduring commitment to African unity and highlighted football’s growing role as a bridge between nations and cultures.
“CAF has consistently emphasised its commitment to utilise football to contribute to uniting our people from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds,” he said.
“The pardon by His Majesty King Mohammed VI is an uplifting and motivating illustration of the power of football to unite and bring our people together in Africa and worldwide.”
Motsepe also revealed that during recent visits to both Morocco and Senegal, he had been struck by the deep historical and cultural bonds shared by the two countries.
“I was amazed and impressed when I was briefed about the historic and extensive ties between the people of Senegal and Morocco,” he added.
The statement further reinforced Morocco’s rising influence within African football, especially after successfully hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading football destinations ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Motsepe also extended CAF’s best wishes to Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence that the continent’s teams would perform strongly on the global stage.
Among the African nations mentioned were Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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By Kunle Solaja.
Former African champions Algeria and Zambia are set for an early showdown after the release of the Group I fixtures for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Algeria host Zambia on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, in what is expected to be one of the headline fixtures of the qualifying campaign, while Togo entertain Burundi in the group’s other opening tie.
The Desert Foxes are favourites to qualify, but Zambia’s growing consistency and Togo’s unpredictability could make the race highly competitive.
Algeria travel to Burundi on Matchday Two before facing Togo in back-to-back encounters across Matchdays Three and Four. Zambia also meet Burundi home and away during the same period.
The potentially decisive fixture comes on March 22, 2027, when Zambia host Algeria in a clash that could determine the final standings.
Group I Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Algeria vs Zambia
- Togo vs Burundi
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Zambia vs Togo
- Burundi vs Algeria
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Algeria vs Togo
- Zambia vs Burundi
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Togo vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Zambia
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Zambia vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Togo
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Togo vs Zambia
- Algeria vs Burundi
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By Kunle Solaja.
African heavyweights Senegal will launch their quest for another Africa Cup of Nations appearance with a home clash against Mozambique in Group J of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Lions of Teranga, among the continent’s strongest teams in recent years, headline a group that also includes Sudan and Ethiopia.
Senegal host Mozambique on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, while Sudan tackle Ethiopia in the other opening encounter.
Senegal are strong favourites to dominate the group, but Sudan and Mozambique are expected to battle fiercely for qualification points.
The key fixtures may emerge in the double-header between Senegal and Sudan across Matchdays Three and Four, while Mozambique and Ethiopia also face each other home and away.
Senegal travel to Mozambique on Matchday Five before ending their campaign at home against Ethiopia on March 30, 2027.
Group J Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Senegal vs Mozambique
- Sudan vs Ethiopia
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Mozambique vs Sudan
- Ethiopia vs Senegal
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Senegal vs Sudan
- Mozambique vs Ethiopia
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Sudan vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Mozambique
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Mozambique vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Sudan
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Sudan vs Mozambique
- Senegal vs Ethiopia
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