AFCON
BAFANA’S KEEPER, KHUNE DRAWS INSPIRATION FROM CLEAN SHEETS
It is the four successive clean sheets for Bafana in their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign that goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune draws positives from and not the fact that Saturday’s opponents Nigeria are without top goal scorer Odion Ighalo.
According to Pretoria News, not only are Coach Stuart Baxter’s men unbeaten in qualifying Group E, but they are still yet to taste defeat ahead of hosting the Super Eagles, who lead the group by a single point, this weekend.
A lot has been made about Nigeria’s potent attacking line led by Ighalo, who has so far bagged six goals to help his country shoot to the top of the group.
But with the Chinese-based forward now injured and having been withdrawn, Khune chose to rather boast about Bafana’s record of clean sheets instead of showing relief that he would not be facing Ighalo in this month’s qualifier.
“I think we should focus on ourselves for now because four clean sheets in the same number of games is a really good record,” Khune said. “We are unbeaten, haven’t conceded a single goal, and we have scored eight goals in those matches.
“So those are the things we look at, but we keep telling ourselves that we must keep our feet firmly on the ground and keep looking for more,” the Bafana shot-stopper added.
Khune will lead a back four that has seen changing faces since South Africa beat Nigeria 2-0 during the opening round of the Afcon qualifiers in June last year.
At the Godswill Akpabio Stadium at the time, Baxter had captain Thulani Hlatshwayo partnered with Erick Mathoho in central defence, while Ramahlwe Mphahlele and Tebogo Langerman occupied the right and fullback positions respectively.
Both Mathoho and Langerman have dropped out of the picture since, but this isn’t something Khune is losing sleep over. He’s become used to it at club level, where Kaizer Chiefs coach Giovanni Solinas has been continuously criticised for chopping an changing his defenders.
“We are still looking at marshalling our defence the way we want to,” said Khune. “We are not focusing too much on who they are bringing. We are preparing for Nigeria.
“I actually think I am the luckiest goalkeeper alive and I say this because I play for club and country.
“We know injuries are part of the game, some players will be off-form, while others are asked to step up. My job is to communicate and organise my defence well.
“I think with the run of clean sheets everyone has to be given credit and I have also been able to use my experience to help.”
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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