AFCON
SOUTH AFRICA PUT ALL HOPES ON PERCY TAU
The responsibility to repeat what was Bafana Bafana’s first ever victory over bogey side Nigeria in June last year now probably falls on the tiny shoulders of striker Percy Tau when the two sides clash yet again on Saturday.
According to Pretoria News, Tokelo Rantie, Sibusiso Vilakazi and Keagan Dolly – who all started up front for South Africa in that famous win in Uyo during the opening round of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers – are all unavailable and Themba Zwane, although in the team, has just recently recovered from injury.
Tau had come off the bench in Nigeria to score and add to Rantie’s opener in that 2-0 win, which meant it was a perfect start for Coach Stuart Baxter as national team coach.
More than a year later, the Super Eagles have returned looking for payback at FNB Stadium this weekend and eager to cement their spot at the top of Group E.
A win for either side will confirm their participation at next year’s Afcon in Cameroon.
“I believe everyone in the team has a huge responsibility,” Tau, now on loan in Belgium from English Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion, said this week.
“I am personally one of the players that always tries their best to win all the games. I share that responsibility with the rest of my team-mates. Yes, we don’t have those other players here, but the guys who are here share a common responsibility, which is to win against Nigeria and go to the Afcon.”
Lebo Mothiba has emerged as a potential goal getter for Bafana after managing three goals in his first four national team appearances, and that maybe takes off some load from Tau.
Zwane has made a comeback to the team after missing the embarrassing goalless draw at home to Libya as well as the back-to-back qualifiers between Bafana and lowly Seychelles in which South Africa won the first leg 6-0 and then were held to a shocking goalless stalemate in the return match away three days later.
Nigeria’s youthful squad is more mature now and has the experience of being at the World Cup in Russia together about five months ago.
What will be a concern, however, is the fact that they are missing goalkeeper Francis Uzoho and top goal scorer Odion Ighalo. But Bafana have several more of their key players from last year’s fixture in Nigeria missing, like Dean Furman and Bongani Zungu, to add to the list already mentioned above.
Can Tau, who is likely to play just behind focal point Mothiba, carry the mantle?
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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