AFCON
HOW FAR CAN UGANDA’S FAIRY TALE GO AT AFCON 2019?
When the Cranes of Uganda take on the lead ranked African football team, Senegal this evening, it will be the first time both countries will clash in Africa Cup of Nations’ history.
For Uganda, they have exceeded all expectations, crossing the group stage for the first time in 41 years.
They are now facing a tough mission when they take on Senegal’s Teranga Lions at the Cairo International Stadium.
Uganda’s last appearance in Africa Cup of Nations’ knockout stages was in 1978 when they beat Nigeria to play the final match.
Uganda’s coach, Sebastien Desabre is aware of the enormity of the task ahead, saying that the match with Senegal would be abig challenge.
“Our team is disciplined and they are giving all their efforts for this match. It’s a knockout game so we are adopting another tactic than what we did against Egypt.
“Our chance is difficult because we are facing a very good team and a good coach. We are not afraid of facing any opponent. Our team is qualified and we know Senegal is really strong, but once we enter the pitch we play fairly.
“We were not afraid against DR Congo or Egypt, we respect all the teams but we fear none.
“We will take our chances and hope to succeed. We need to be focused and forget all the previous matches and look forward to the coming one.”
The captain of the side, Dennis Onyango spoke in similar vein. “We had some issues but we resolved them and resumed training and we are now just focusing on the game ahead of us.
“We played against Senegal in a friendly before and we know well how strong they are. We have to give our best and we can as well get our results as planned.
“We have to enjoy the game and this moment because we are here and we did a good job. I believe I’m fit and the decision to play or not is the coach’s but medically I’m ready.
“We played against quality players in Egypt and DR Congo like Senegal and we managed to do well, even against Egypt we were better statistically but they took their chances. We have to take our chances as it is a knockout game and if you don’t take your chances you get punished.”
Meanwhile Africa’s top ranks Senegal ended Group C as runner ups with six points, from two victories over Tanzania (2-0) and Kenya (3-0), and one defeat to Algeria (0-1).
The Teranga Lions are hoping for their first ever African title, with their best outing dating back to 2002 when they finished as losing finalists to eventual champions Cameroon.
While Uganda are sweating about the availability of their captain and influential goalkeeper Denis Onuango who was forced to leave the field in the last group match against Egypt, Senegal can draw some relief from the fact that their superstar Sadio Mane had finally found his feet.
The Liverpool striker missed a penalty but then scored twice against Kenya, to register his presence in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, after missing the first game through suspension and having a shy appearance in the defeat to Algeria.
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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