AFCON
FRENCH LEAGUE SUPPLIES BULK OF AFCON 2019 PLAYERS
The French influence in African football appears overwhelming. A breakdown of the 552 players registered by 24 teams for the Africa Cup of Nations kicking off in Egypt on Friday shows that most of the players are based in France.
Sports Village Square’s check reveals that of the 552 players, 95 are playing in the French Ligue 1 and other lower divisions.
Next to France in the number of players supplied is South Africa, which has 45 players. Some of the players are registered by other countries, including Nigeria, which has South Africa-based Daniel Akpeyi.
England ranks next with 43 players from the premiership, the
Championship and the lower leagues.
Continentally, the bulk of the players are from Europe, which accounts for 315
players among the total of 552.
It was largely for that reason the CAF opted to alter the Africa Cup of Nations calendar to fall within the break period of the European leagues in order to ensure the Europe-based players attend the competition with relative ease.
There are 201players from leagues in Africa while 32 are from Asia and just four from North America.
Paradoxically, Zambia, which did not qualify, is supplying as many as 10 players from its league to the competition.
Foreign Legion
Senegal and Cameroon are the only teams whose entire squads comprise overseas players.
While Senegal coach Aliou Cisse only opted for European-based
players, Cameroon’s Clarence Seedorf picked Christian Bassogog, best young
player in the 2017 Nations Cup who plays for Henan Jianye in China.
Algeria, Ghana and Morocco also heavily rely on foreign-based players as they
each only have one player in their domestic competitions.
Teams with most domestic players
With 17 players playing in their domestic league, South Africa
are showing great confidence in their local competitions and their top clubs,
especially 2016 African champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
Tanzania and Angola come next with 14 and 13 domestic-based players
respectively.
Most prestigious arrivals
African players have enjoyed most successes this season in the
Premier League. Liverpool trio Mohamed Salah of Egypt, Sadio Mane of Senegal
and Naby Keita of Guinea have claimed the UEFA Champions League trophy for the
first time.
Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez has won the Premier League title, playing a key role
with Manchester City in their title defence.
Mahrez has now two Premier League titles under his belt after winning the
competition in 2016 with the unfancied Leicester City, before being named
Africa’s best player for the same year.
AFCON 2019 squads breakdown
Europe: 315
France: 95
England: 43
Turkey: 29
Portugal: 25
Spain: 20
Belgium: 18
Germany: 15
Italy: 14
Greece: 10
Netherlands: 8
Scotland: 5
Sweden: 6
Switzerland: 4
Romania: 4
Bulgaria: 3
Austria: 2
Czech Rep: 2
Denmark: 2
Israel: 2
Croatia: 1
Cyprus: 1
Lichtenstein: 1
Lithuania: 1
Luxemburg: 1
Serbia: 1
Slovakia: 1
Ukraine: 1
Africa: 201
South Africa: 45
Egypt: 24
Angola: 14
Tunisia: 14
Kenya: 12
Tanzania: 19
Namibia: 10
Zambia: 10
DR Congo: 8
Mauritania: 6
Uganda: 6
Algeria: 5
Ethiopia: 4
Morocco: 4
Benin: 2
Cote d’Ivoire: 2
Guinea Bissau 2
Madagascar: 2
Mali: 2
Nigeria: 2
Rwanda: 2
Botswana: 1
Ghana: 1
Libya: 1
Reunion: 1
Sudan: 1
Uganda: 1
Asia: 32
Saudi Arabia: 18
China: 5
Qatar: 3
Australia: 1
Oman: 1
Japan: 1
India: 1
Kazakhstan: 1
Thailand: 1
America: 4
USA: 4
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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