AFCON
For Morocco and Gabon, it is onward to the next round
Gabon and Morocco lock horns on Tuesday in Yaoundé, as curtain draws on Group C of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroon 2021.
Already qualified Morocco leads the group on six points, two more than Gabon that look on their way to the next round but will need a point to secure that. Ghana (1 point) and Comoros (no points) face in a simultaneous kickoff in Garoua.
Gabon is second in this group C, with four points, thanks to a victory over the Comoros (1-0) and a draw with Ghana (1-1) in the previous matchdays. It is now time to confirm and a simple draw would be enough to qualify for the second round.
Gabon coach, Patrice Neveu believes the task is not beyond their possibility.
“I had the opportunity to follow the matches of Morocco. They have a solid team. We know that it will not be an easy match. And for you to be in a competition of this magnitude, you have to take the necessary precautions.
“Unfortunately, we will not be counting on Aubameyang and Mario, we have decided that they must return to their clubs for a more careful medical follow-up. I will have to make some adjustments with the players I have. We are prepared and organized, and our goal is to win the game and move on.”
Striker Axel Meye added: “It was not easy for me because I miss the first game after testing positive for Covid-19. It was a difficult moment to digest because I wanted to contribute.
“Still, I hope to be an asset to the team. I feel better in all aspects, and I’m fit for the game. The absence of Aubameyang and Mario is felt, we are strong when we are together… but, it is important to put health first. Aubameyang has asked the team to stick together and that is what we will do.”
Sweet talk as it sound, but Morocco will not wish to relinquish the leadership of the group.
Morocco’s Atlas Lions lead the group with a winning streak after beating Ghana 1-0 and Comoros 2-0. The Maghreb team is thus already qualified for the next phase of the competition, an objective that Gabon is also on track to achieve.
“It is a fact that all the participants in this tournament face the same challenges. The hardest part is when it comes to making choices, said Vahid Halilhodzic, the coach of Morocco.
Continuing, he remarked: “I have to manage 28 players and that hasn’t been an easy task. We want everyone to play to boost morale.
“Our objective in the game against Gabon is victory. Aubameyang is a great player and it’s bad for Gabon that he’s not playing. and good for us! Our biggest ambition is to win this match, despite the obstacles we have to face.”
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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