AFCON
“IF THIS IS A DREAM, PLEASE DON’T WAKE US UP”, MADAGASCANS SEEM SAYING
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Madagascar, the home country of CAF president, Ahmad, has already written their names in the record books.
The team remains the mystery side as the 32nd Africa Cup of Nations gets to the anchor leg.
Not the best of football pundit would have expected the team to cross the group stage, let alone threatening the old order.
In the course of the tournament that is on its third week, Madagascar had beaten two former champions – Nigeria and DR Congo.
If they prevail over Tunisia this Thursday, a third former champion would be added to the list of big victims.
Yet, pundits did not foresee the unfolding scenario even after Madagascar entered the record book as the first qualifier, even before the host country!
In their debut qualification, the Indian Ocean island nation did it in grand style, picking the ticket, even with two matches to spare.
Their dream continues as they hope to get to the semi finals.
“We hope to continue rewriting history by another good result. We are proud that we made the people of Madagascar happy with that appearance”, their coach, Nicola Dupuis, was quoted by Cafonline as saying.
“Facing Tunisia is totally different and they are a very good team. The President came here to support us and this is very good. I believe we have a chance to continue our good results.
“It’s tough to have to play all these matches in such a short time and we need to recover from fatigue and some injuries”, the coach remarked.
A striker of the team, Carlous Andriamatsinoro spoke in similar vein. “We had a few hours of rest and recharge our energy. We hope to defeat Tunisia. We are very happy having the president is here and our morale is very high because of his presence.”
The Tunisians, conscious of the upsets that are happening globally is sports even as an unrated teenager beat Venus Williams at the Wimbledon, are bracing up for a tough challenge.
Alain Giresse, a French veteran of the 1982 World Cup and now coach of Tunisia admitted thatthe Madagascans are having an impressive tournament.
“The most important now is to remain focused against a team that play very exciting football. We are taking it seriously and we expect a very tough game.
“Madagascar players are talented tactically and collectively. We are in the quarterfinal now and we have to do our best to stay in the competition. Resting for just 48 hours is not enough but we have to cope with that.”
A Tunisian forward, Taha Khenissi shares the opinion of the coach and knows the dangers of underrating the Indian Ocean adventurers.
“Madagascar is a very good team. In this tournament there are lot of surprises and there are no small teams. We want to win and make Tunisians happy. We hope to reach the semifinal.”
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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