AFCON
Can Cameroon escape goalkeeper-less Comoros in this upset-filled AFCON?
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
The 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations will propablly go down as the most upset-filled in recent history.
Defending champions and unbeaten team for 37 matches, Algeria were dumped out. Likewise, four-time champions, Ghana could not make it from the group stage.
The Gambia shocked on of Africa’s powerhouses, Tunisia at the Group stage. Tunisia who won just one group stage match and heavily depleted, found strenght to oust Nigeria, the only team among 24 to have won its three group matches.
And thus, everything begin to go tupsy turvy. Adios formbook, bye bye too predictability!
Unrated and debutants Comoros Islands outsted the great Black Stars of Ghana, sending AFCON followers to begin a search of the chain of islands’ location on the map.
In a tournament that has shown that no team is immune from shock, will hosts, Cameroon also experience the bitter taste?
They are today billed against an unrated Comoros, the Cinderella team of the tournament.
To underscore their lowly rating, they are also depleted in number of players and are likely going to face giants, Cameroon without a proper goalkeeper.
None of their three registered goalkeeper is available. The main one is outrightly injured while the two others tested positive to Covid-19.
Glory-dreaming Comoros will have to convert an outfield player as a goalkeeper if none of the two registered ones comes out with a good Covid test result.
Their situation is akin to that Tunisia who in addition to seven players and their lead coach not being available and had to make a long journey to Garoua apart from losing at least two days to logistics as Nigeria concluded their group games ahead, still summon strengh and courage to ousts the Super Eagles.
Cameroon would undoubtedly have learnt a lesson or two from the Nigeria-Tunisia episode to avert any upset.
“We must respect our opponent of the day even if they are playing their first AFCON,” indicated the Cameroonian coach, Antonio Conceicao.
“We are calmly preparing our meeting and our objective remains clear, the February 6th final”.
Continuing, the coach remarked: “We know that we are going against a good team from the Comoros. We have studied our opponent who remains difficult.
“It is true that it is not a team with a big name, but they have very good players. They are a disciplined team, focused and playing without pressure. The objective for us is to win to go further in the competition.”
“We are living a dream”. These are the words of Comoros captain Nadjim Abdou 24 hours from the historic round of 16 between the Cœlacanthes and the Indomitable Lions.
“We know we are going to play against a great team, but all this is a bonus for us,” said the Comorian captain.
Daniel Padovani, the Comoros goalkeepers’ coach added: “We played our all-out during the group stage and that’s what allowed us to progress to the round of 16.
“We are experiencing an exceptional situation with several players and staff members affected by COVID-19. We must manage this situation and find the necessary solutions. We will play with the same values, with our usual state of mind”.
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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