AFCON
CAF President’s Club, Sundowns Is South Africa Bafana Bafana’s Backbone –
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
South Africa presented a closely-knitted and formidable side to get to their first semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations in 24 years.
Paradoxically, it is the same team they last met in the semi-finals that they are facing again as they are pitched against their major rivals in the continent, the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
When they last met at the semi-finals, the Super Eagles almost effortlessly prevailed, 2-0 with all the two goals scored in the first minute and then in the 34th minute. Thanks to the brace of the pacey Tijani Babangida who exploited the sluggishness of Mark Fish in the South African defence.
But things and time have changed. Bafana Bafana are now closely knitted around one club – Mamelodi Sundowns owned by the CAF President, Dr. Patrice Motsepe.
The CAF president’s investment in the club has not been in vein. Apart from winning the inaugural African Football League, the women’s sides are also the champions for the second time in the CAF Women’s League.
Dubbed as ‘Brazil of Africa’ on account of their yellow shirts over sky blue shorts, the club is not just the rave of the moment in South Africa, it has threatened the old order of continental inter-clubs competition.
The club which won the inaugural edition of the African Football League, is the engine room of Bafana Bafana. Ten members of the club make up the 27-man squad of South Africa.
Nine of them featured in Saturday’s energy-sapping clash with Cape Verde as they book their ticket to play against the Super Eagles. The nine include the Man-of-Match and captain, Rowen Williams.
Till date, like Nigeria’s Stanley Mwabali who also plays in the South African football league, Williams has had four clean sheets in a row. He has also set a rcord of stopping four penalties during the tie-breaking shoot-out.
In fact, in recent matches, the entire back four of South Africa is composed of players from Mamelodi Sundowns which Billionaire Motsepe bought nearly 20 years ago.
Seven of the Mamelodi Sundowns players were starters in that match while two others came in as substitutes.
Statistically, Mamelodi Sundowns holds the record of present the most players at the AFCON 2023.
This is coming in an era where most countries rely heavily on players based in Europe.
This is where the South African squad stands out.
It is an indication of the strength of their domestic league as well as the economy. Having the bulk of the players from the domestic league put their coach, the Belgian Hugo Broos at great advantage over other coaches.
He had more time to build a closely knitted squad who can find each other even with their eyes closed on the pitch.
Mamelodi Sundown players that featured at the quarter finals
- Rowen Williams – Goalkeeper/captain
- GomolemoKekana -Defender
- Thapelo Morena -Defender
- Khuliso Mudau-Defender
- ThembaZwane, striker
- Thapelo Maseko – Defender, a 63rdminute sub for Thapelo Morena
- Terrence Mashego– Defender, a 115th minute sub for Thapelo Maseko
- Nyiko Mobbie- Defender, a 103rd minute sub for Khuliso Mudau.
- Jayden Adams – Midfielder, a 91stminute sub for Themba Zwane
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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