AFCON
Peseiro’s former boss, Queiroz fortifies Egypt with three new players ahead of clash with Nigeria
Egyptian national team head coach Carlos Queiroz has decided to add three new players to the Pharaohs’ squad set to travel to take part in the 2022 AFCON in Cameroon next January.
Egypt will face Nigeria on 11 january in a Group D match. Egypt’s coach, Queiroz was the boss of Nigeria’s ‘observer coach’ at the Africa Cup of Nations, Jose Peseiro while both were with Real Marid in 2003-04.
Earlier this week, Queiroz has named his 25-man squad, which witnessed many surprises, including the calling-up of not fully fit Mahmoud Trezeguet and the exclusion of Al Ahly star Mohamed Magdy Afsha.
Despite the CAF allowing each team to take up to 28 players to the AFCON in case of COVID-19 cases or other injuries, Queiroz decided that 25 players are enough.
However, just days later, the Portuguese had a change of heart and decided to name three additional players to the travelling list, which included Egypt striker in the Arab Cup Marwan Hamdi and Pyramids FC duo of Mohamed Hamdi and Ibrahim Adel.
Hamdi, Zamalek loanee at Smouha, played every game in the latest Arab Cup, but was heavily criticised by the fans for his performances, which saw him score just once against Jordan in the quarter-finals.
The striker is however excelling on the club level, scoring four goals while providing a further assist in seven games with Smouha this season, averaging a goal every 155 minutes.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Hamdi and Ibrahim Adel were not called-up to the Arab Cup due to Pyramids’ participation in the CAF Confederation Cup; however, they both have international experience.
Linked with a return to Al Ahly next summer, Hamdi is a left-back, who has represented the Pharaohs on two occasions, most recently against Gabon last November under Carlos Queiroz.
Wonderkid Ibrahim Adel had also played under Carlos Queiroz in a 2-0 friendly victory over Liberia, which marked his first and only game for the Pharaohs.
After the trio have been added officially to the travelling list, the Egypt squad for the 2022 AFCON now look like this:
Goalkeepers: Mohamed El-Shennawy (Al Ahly), Mohamed Sobhi (Pharco FC), Mohamed Abogabal (Zamalek), Mahmoud Gad (ENPPI).
Defenders: Ahmed Fatouh, Mahmoud Alaa, Mahmoud Hamdy El-Wensh (Zamalek), Ayman Ashraf, Akram Tawfik, (Al Ahly), Omar Kamal, Mohamed Abdel-Moneim (Future), Ahmed Hegazi (Ittihad Jeddah), Mohamed Hamdi (Pyramids).
Midfielders: Hamdi Fathi, Amr El-Sulya (Al Ahly), Emam Ashour, Ahmed Sayed Zizo (Zamalek), Abdallah El-Said, Ramadan Sobhi, Ibrahim Adel (Pyramids), Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Omar Marmoush (VfB Stuttgart), Mohanad Lasheen (Tala’a El-Gaish), Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet (Aston Villa).
Forwards: Mostafa Mohamed (Galatasaray), Mohamed Sherif (Al Ahly), Marwan Hamdi (Smouha).
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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