AFCON
WHICH 10 TEAMS GET THE REMAINING AFCON 2019 SLOTS?
BY APESIN ADEMOLA
Nigeria’s Super Eagles are among 14 teams whose matches will count for nothing – except classification and boosting their rankings – as the two-year-long qualification for this year’s Africa Cup of Nations is concluded this weekend.
Three-time champions Nigeria, record winners and hosts Egypt, and Africa’s current No 1 by ranking Senegal are among the nations whose flags will fly across five Egyptian cities and six stadia as the continental tournament assumes a 24-nation format for the first time since its inception 62 years ago.
Egypt 2019 will run from June 21 to July 19, making it the first time Africa will host its most glamorous football competition in the summer.
Significantly, Madagascar, the home nation of CAF President Ahmad who will be making their debut in Egypt, are so far the only team to have started from the preliminary qualification phase and travelled all the way to land in the finals.
Comoros Islands are however on the verge of repeating the feat of Madagascar, their neighbouring country. Les Coelacantes will have to move the mountain by beating reigning champions Cameroon in Yaounde on Saturday with any margin to join Morocco as the qualifiers from Group B. In that match, the Indomitable Lions, five-time winners, require one single point to qualify. Apart from Egypt with seven titles, Cameroon are the next most successful nation in the competition.
The other former champions who have started making travel arrangements for Egypt 2019 include Ghana, once a powerhouse of African football with four titles under their belt, Côte d’Ivoire (winners in 1992 and 2015), Tunisia (2004), Algeria (1990) and Morocco (1976).
Apart from Senegal, who will be making their 15th appearance in the finals but have never lifted the trophy, the teams will be chasing their first title in Egypt include Guinea (12 appearances, inclduing Egypt 2019), Mali (11), Uganda (7) and (Kenya (6), while Mauritania are in the same class with Madagascar – first-timers.
Between Friday and Sunday, focus will be on 13 centres with deciding fixtures in eight groups.
Nigeria’s other interest will be in Group L where ex-international Emmanuel Amunike will attempt to qualify Tanzania for their first appearance in the competition since Nigeria hosted it in 1980. In Dar-esSalam, the Taifa Stars, presently third on the log, will seek to beat group winners Uganda and expect Cape Verde Islands to avoid defeat to Lesotho in Praia, the Cape Verdean capital.
Going into the last fixtures of the qualifiers, it’s still any team’s game in Group G, which parade Zimbabwe, Liberia, DR Congo and Congo Republic, all separated by three points. Ahead of them all, the Warriors of Zimbabwe have the added advantage of playing at home against bottom-placed Congo Republic, while second placed Liberia are away in DR Congo, who are only one point behind.
CAF had refused to honour Liberia’s request to have their match shifted from Kinshasa on the claim that the host country faces fresh Ebola outbreak. The football authority ruled that the epidemic is far away from the Congolese capital city.
Group K is also tight. Only 2012 champions Zambia are out already, but their match at home against Namibia will be significant in deciding the two qualifiers from the group. Namibia’s Brave Warriors are tied on points with leaders Guinea-Bissau, who however have head-to-head edge. Guinea-Bissau will be home to Mozambique, who themselves fall short of the top two by one point.
Nigeria’s result in Asaba will be of significance to South Africa only in deciding the winners of Group E. Should Bafana Bafana share points with Libya in Sfax, Tunisia on Sunday, and Seychelles perform the most unlikely by beating the Super Eagles in Asaba, it will be South Africa that will top Group E on head-to-head rule. Libya’s victory will not only see them through by eliminating South Africa, it will also earn Nigeria group leadership irrespective of the outcome in Asaba.
In Group I, two sides remain in contention with Botswana already out and Mauritania through to the finals. Angola, in second place, will play Botswana on Friday at the same time Burkina Faso will be hosting Mauritania.in Ouagadougou. The Burkinabe are two points behind Angola’s Palancas Negras.
Algeria are through in Group D, but will have a hand in deciding which of Benin Republic, Togo or Gambia qualify along with them for Egypt 2019.
The Desert Warriors host Gambia on Friday, while Benin Republic engage Togo in Cotonou on Sunday. Benin Republic’s Squirrels have a two-point advantage over both Togo and Gambia. Strangely, CAF fixed both matches for different days when the result of one can affect the standings in the group.
Group C has already produced Mali as finalists, while the only match that matters here is Burundi versus Gabon on Saturday. The host nation will start the crucial match with a two-point cushion over their guests. The first leg ended 1-1.
Matchday 6 fixtures (all time West Africa’s)
Friday
Group E: Nigeria v Seychelles (first leg Nigeria 3-0) (4pm)
Group B: Malawi v Morocco (first leg Morocco 3-0) (2pm)
Group A: Sudan v Equatorial Guinea (first leg Equatorial Guinea 1-0) (3pm)
Group I: Botswana v Angola (first leg Angola 1-0), Burkina Faso v Mauritania (first leg Mauritania 2-0) (both 6pm)
Group J: Tunisia v Eswatini (first leg Tunisia 2-0) (7:15pm)
Group D: Algeria v Gambia (first leg 1-1) (8:45pm)
Saturday
Group C: Burundi v Gabon (first leg 1-1) (2pm), Mali v South Sudan (first leg Mali 3-0) (8pm)
Group B: Cameroon v Comoros Islands (first leg 1-1) (4pm)
Group J: Niger Republic v Egypt (first leg Egypt 6-0) (4:30pm)
Group K: Zambia v Namibia (first leg 1-1), Guinea-Bissau v Mozambique (first leg 2-2) (both 5:30pm)
Group H: Côte d’Ivoire v Rwanda (first leg Côte d’Ivoire 2-1) (6pm)
Group F: Ghana v Kenya (first leg Kenya 1-0) (7pm)
Group A: Senegal v Madagascar (first leg 2-2) (8pm)
Sunday
Group E: Libya v South Africa (first leg 0-0) (6pm)
Group G: Zimbabwe v Congo Republic (first leg 1-1), DR Congo v Liberia (first leg 1-1) (both 2pm)
Group H: Central Africa Republic v Guinea (first leg Guinea 1-0) (3pm)
Group D: Benin Republic v Togo (first leg 0-0) (4pm)
Group L: Tanzania v Uganda (first leg 0-0), Cape Verde Islands v Lesotho (first leg 1-1) (both 4pm)
The Confederation of African Football has announced a major overhaul of its flagship competition, with the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) set to expand from 24 to 28 teams.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe disclosed the decision on Sunday following an executive committee meeting, describing it as part of the body’s commitment to elevating African football to global standards.
Motsepe said the expansion would create more opportunities for countries across the continent while ensuring that top African players worldwide return home to compete at the highest level.
“This is about our commitment to world-class football, bringing together the best African players from across the globe to compete on the continent,” he stated.
However, the CAF boss did not provide details on how the new 28-team format would be structured or when the expansion would take effect, leaving questions over qualification pathways and tournament scheduling.
Continuity for 2027, New Cycle from 2028
Motsepe confirmed that the 2027 AFCON will proceed as planned with co-hosts Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, maintaining the current 24-team format for that edition.
In a significant shift, CAF also announced that another AFCON tournament will be staged in 2028, after which the competition will move to a four-year cycle—aligning more closely with other major international tournaments.
CAF Nations League Introduced
In addition to AFCON reforms, CAF revealed plans to introduce an African Nations League starting from 2029. The new competition will be held annually, with a 16-team final tournament staged every two years.
The initiative is aimed at improving the competitiveness, structure and commercial value of the African national team football.
“We have to stop this situation where African fixtures are not predictable, consistent and reliable,” Motsepe said. “We must also focus on developing football in regions like East Africa, which has enormous potential.”
A New Era for African Football
The proposed changes mark one of the most ambitious restructurings of African football competitions in recent years, with CAF seeking to expand participation, enhance organisation and create a more predictable football calendar.
While details are still emerging, the decisions are expected to have far-reaching implications for national teams, qualification formats and the overall growth of the game across the continent.
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The Confederation of African Football said it would implement changes and improvements to its statutes and regulations that would ensure that the farcical scenes at January’s Africa Cup of Nations final do not happen again.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe said the changes would strengthen trust and confidence in its referees, VAR operators and judicial bodies, but did not give concrete details.
The announcement followed a meeting of CAF’s executive committee in Cairo on Sunday and came on a tumultuous day for the organisation as its general secretary resigned.
African football’s governing body has been battling a crisis of confidence after its Appeal Board stripped Senegal of the Cup of Nations title in a decision that has been met with widespread derision.
Senegal were ruled to have forfeited the final in Rabat on January 18 after walking off the pitch in protest at a potentially decisive penalty awarded to Morocco. They returned and scored a goal in extra time to win the game 1-0.
The decision is being challenged at the Court of Arbitration for Sport and if Senegal win back their title it will be a further blow to CAF’s credibility.
“CAF has taken extensive legal advice from top African and international football lawyers and experts, to ensure that the CAF statutes and regulations adhere to and implement global football best practices, on and off the field,” Motsepe said in a statement on Sunday.
“This is important for the respect, integrity and credibility of African referees, VAR operators and the CAF Disciplinary Board and Appeal Board.
“CAF is working with FIFA for the ongoing training of African referees, VAR operators and match commissioners so that they are as good as the best in the world… CAF has made significant progress over the past five years in implementing governance, ethics, transparency and managerial best practices,” the CAF president added.
More precise details on the changes and how they would avoid a repeat of the Cup of Nations final controversy were not given by Motsepe, who earlier this month admitted his organisation was struggling with perceptions about its integrity.
-Reuters
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By Kunle Solaja
The Confederation of African Football may be considering possible disciplinary measures against Senegal following reports that the country’s national team has continued to parade the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy despite being stripped of the title.
The development has triggered fresh debate within African football circles, with CAF understood to be treating the matter as a potential breach of its statutes and disciplinary code.
Sources close to the continental body indicate that Senegal’s actions could be interpreted as defiance of an official ruling, raising concerns about respect for regulatory authority and the precedent such conduct may set for other member associations.
CAF is believed to be weighing a range of sanctions, which could include financial penalties, formal reprimands, or restrictions on the country’s participation in certain CAF programmes and competitions.
While no final decision has been announced, insiders suggest that the governing body is keen to send a strong message on compliance and institutional discipline.
There are also indications that CAF’s disciplinary committee may be tasked with reviewing the circumstances surrounding the continued public display of the trophy, including whether the act constitutes misconduct under its regulations.
The issue is seen as more than a symbolic dispute over silverware. Analysts argue that how CAF handles the situation will reflect its ability to enforce decisions and maintain order among its 54 member associations.
“CAF cannot afford to appear weak on matters of discipline,” a source familiar with the situation said. “If a federation openly disregards a ruling, it undermines the entire governance structure.”
CAF is expected to provide clarity on the issue during an upcoming press engagement, where its president may outline the organisation’s position and any disciplinary steps to be taken.
For Senegal, the situation presents a delicate balancing act between national pride and compliance with continental football authority. For CAF, it represents a critical test of leadership and regulatory enforcement at a time when the credibility of African football governance remains under close watch.
The coming days are likely to determine whether the matter escalates into a full disciplinary case or is resolved through diplomatic engagement behind the scenes.
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