AFCON
AFTER THE SCARE, SUPER EAGLES SET FOR OPENING MATCH
BY MUYIWA AKINTUNDE
Nigerians were rattled by news from the Super Eagles’ camp last night. While still grappling with the report that many players reacted adversely to the weather condition in Egypt, they also got a more disturbing one that Bordeaux forward Samuel Kalu collapsed in training. Exaggerated stories followed in torrents.
But it turned out that the 21-year-old Eagle suffered dehydration during training and had been confirmed okay after treatment.
The Super Eagles, three-time champions, are expected to put that scare behind them when they face Burundi this evening in Alexandria.
Although they created an earlier panic among their critical fans by losing their last friendly to Senegal 0-1, Gernot Rohr’s team shouldn’t sweat so much over Burundi, who are making their debut in the tournament.
Known as the Swallows in the War, Burundi were lined up against Mali, Gabon and South Sudan in Group C of the qualifiers and managed to win two matches and drew the remaining four to pick Egypt 2019 ticket behind Mali.
Their unbeaten run in that phase should however send danger signals to the Super Eagles and other teams in Group B of this AFCON. Burundi lost their last friendly to Tunisia 1-2 after playing Algeria 1-1.
In the other fixture of the group, Guinea will go up against another debutante Madagascar, the country of CAF President Ahmad.
The farthest Guinea had travelled in Africa’s No 1 tournament was being runners-up when Morocco lifted the crown in Ethiopia 1976 following a final phase round-robin that also involved Nigeria (bronze medalists) and Egypt.
Despite boasting an unbeaten run in the qualifiers (won 3, drawn 3) in a group that paraded log leaders Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde Islands and Rwanda, Guinea lost their last two friendlies: 0-1 to Benin Republic and 1-3 to Egypt.
Madagascar were among the first set of qualifiers for Egypt 2019. In Group A with the continent’s highest rated side Senegal, the Barea proved they are up to the task winning three of the six matches after coming through the preliminary round by beating São Tomé e Príncipe 4-2 aggregate.
In the friendlies for AFCON 2019 however, Madagascar lost two of the three matches (0-1 to Kenya and 1-3 to Mauritania) and forced Luxembourg to 3-3 stalemate.
In Group A, one of the 10 former champions on parade in Egypt 2019, DR Congo will step out against Uganda to start the campaign to win the title for the third time.
The last two times (as Zaire in 1968 and 1974) had been so long away that the present generation of football fans might have forgotten.
In the buildup to this tournament, the Congolese played two friendlies, each ending in deadlock: goalless against Burkina Faso and 1-1 versus Kenya.
With hosts Egypt the next opponents after this match, coach Jean-Florent Ibenge and his squad will like to make the best of this opening fixture.
Uganda’s best performance in this competition is being runners-up way back in 1978 when Ghana hosted and won the title for the third time.
The Cranes may however prove ready this time going by their run in the qualifiers for Egypt 2019.
Uganda posted one of the most inspiring statistics – four wins out of six matches with just one defeat to Tanzania, coached by ex-Nigerian international Emmanuel Amuneke.
Since concluding the qualifiers, Uganda had featured in the COSAFA Cup, the annual tournament for Southern African national teams organised by Council of Southern Africa Football Associations.
They lost 4-5 to Lesotho and 2-4 to South Africa, both via penalties. Last Saturday however, the Cranes beat Côte d’Ivoire by a lone goal in their last friendly before Egypt 2019 commences.
Today’s fixtures…
Group A:
- DR Congo v Uganda (3:30pm)
Group B:
- Nigeria v Burundi (6pm)
- Guinea v Madagascar (9pm)
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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