AFCON
AFCON: LAST 5 AFCON 2019 QUALIFIERS EMERGE TODAY
BY APESIN ADEMOLA.
On the last Matchday 6 encounters, five more slots are up for grabs and the class of Egypt 2019 Africa Cup of Nations will be completed. Nineteen finalists are already known, while matches in six centres on Sunday will determine the remaining qualifiers.
The Group E, which Nigeria won on Friday, will produce one of the
remaining five finalists. South Africa have a huge task in Sfax, Tunisia
against Libya’s Mediterranean Knights, who require maximum points to make it to
the tournament in Egypt. The Bafana Bafana, who are looking for at least a
point this time, could not break Libya’s defence in the first leg, which ended
with a barren score line.
Since their last head-to-head clash in Johannesburg last September 8, Libya
have lost back-to-back to Nigeria in Uyo and in Sfax, but walloped Seychelles
8-1 away, while South Africa forced Nigeria to 1-1 draw in Johannesburg and had
the same result in a friendly with Paraguay last November in Durban.
Group L offers tantalising fixtures on this last day of the qualifying series
with Emmanuel Amuneke believing in his squad to deliver Tanzania’s first
qualification for the tournament in 39 years. The ex-Nigerian international has
improved the quality and belief of the team since his appointment as Tanzania’s
national head coach last August 6, but his efforts will remain just that if the
Taifa Stars don’t get to participate in Egypt 2019.
Uganda have already won the group, while the battle for runners-up is a
three-horse race. Lesotho, in No 2, have same five points as Tanzania but a
better head-to-head record, while Cape Verde are a point behind both teams.
Tanzania will have to beat Uganda in Dar-es-Salam and hope that Lesotho don’t
equal the result to go through, while Cape Verde must have a better outcome
than Tanzania to make it.
Group G is even tighter as all four teams have their Egypt 2019 dream very much
intact. Zimbabwe have the easiest task as they need just one point to guarantee
qualification, and feature in the competition for the fourth time after the
2004, 2006 and 2017 editions.
Liberia are second in the group, one point behind Zimbabwe, and will celebrate
if they pick a point and Congo Republic don’t beat Zimbabwe, while DR
Congo have to win to qualify.
In Group D, the Squirrels of Benin Republic need just a point at home against Togo, who will qualify if they win.
Teams that have booked their places in Egypt 2019 include Nigeria, hosts Egypt, defending champions Cameroon, Ghana, Tunisia and Morocco. Also in the party will be Algeria, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Angola and Uganda. Madagascar, Burundi and Mauritania will be the debutante at the tournament which kicks off on June 21 at Cairo International Stadium and concludes on July 19.
It will be the 32nd edition of the competition featuring 24 teams for the first time in its 62-year history.
Sunday’s fixtures…
- 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)
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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