AFCON
Egypt seeks eighth title in Cote d’Ivoire
Egypt is set to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations for the 26th time making it the team with the highest number of appearances.
- Egypt will participate in the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations for the 26th time in its history
- The Pharaohs are in Group B alongside Mozambique, Ghana, and Cape Verde.
- Egypt holds the record for the most titles won with SEVEN trophies in its cabinet
The Pharaohs hold the record for the most titles won in Africa’s flagship football cxompetition with seven final triumphs.
Egypt also holds the record for hosting the tournament more times than any other country, having staged the event five times, with the latest being in 2019.
The Egyptian national team, the runner-up in the last edition in 2021, aims to reclaim continental glory and return to the winner’s podium, which it hasn’t reached since the 2010 edition in Angola.
The seven-time winners have been placed in Grpup B to face Mozambique, Ghana, and Cape Verde.
Egypt’s Group B matches
January 14, 2024
– Egypt vs. Mozambique at 17:00 GMT, Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan.
January 18, 2024
– Egypt vs. Ghana at 20:00 GMT, Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan.
January 22, 2024
– Cape Verde vs. Egypt at 20:00 GMT, Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan.
How Egypt Qualified
The Egyptian national team finished top of Group D of the qualifiers, accumulating 15 points from winning 5 matches and losing one match. The defeat occurred in the away match against Ethiopia in the second round. Egypt’s attack scored a total of 10 goals, while its defence conceded only three goals.
Player to Watch: Omar Marmoush
Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush, who plays for Eintracht Frankfurt in the German Bundesliga, is one of the key players to watch in Cote d’Ivoire. The 24-year-old, known for his versatility as a left-winger and a striker, possesses speed, excellent dribbling skills, and the ability to easily penetrate the opponent’s defence. Marmoush aims to showcase his technical abilities during the competition and demonstrate his goal-scoring prowess.
Coach: Rui Vitoria
The Egyptian Football Association appointed Portuguese coach Rui Vitoria as the head coach of the national team in July 2022. The 53-year-old coach seeks to lead the Egyptian team to its eighth continental title, especially after reaching the final as the runner-up in the previous edition in 2021. Vitoria’s coaching style emphasises intense pressure and direct attacking play, particularly in the first half, while focusing on defensive solidity and counter-attacks in the second half.
Egypt’s Record in Africa Cup of Nations
– 1957: Champion
– 1959: Champion
– 1962: Runner-up
– 1963: Bronze Medal
– 1970: Bronze Medal
– 1972: Did not qualify
– 1974: Bronze Medal
– 1980: Fourth Place
– 1984: Fourth Place
– 1986: Champion
– 1988: Group Stage
– 1990: Group Stage
– 1992: Group Stage
– 1994: Quarter-finals
– 1996: Quarter-finals
– 1998: Champion
– 2000: Quarter-finals
– 2002: Quarter-finals
– 2004: Group Stage
– 2006: Champion
– 2008: Champion
– 2010: Champion
– 2012: Did not qualify
– 2013: Did not qualify
– 2015: Did not qualify
– 2017: Runner-up
– 2019: Round of 16
– 2021: Runner-up
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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