AFCON
AFCON 2025 Group D Preview: Senegal Leads a Competitive Section Without the Champion’s Tag
By Kunle Solaja.
Group D of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off in Morocco on Sunday, brings together pedigree, ambition and underdog spirit, with former champions Senegal topping a group that also includes DR Congo, Benin Republic and Botswana.
Although Senegal are no longer the reigning champions, the Teranga Lions remain one of the tournament’s strongest sides and will face stern tests from experienced and motivated opponents. Group D matches will be staged in Tangier and Rabat.
Fixtures (Kick-off times GMT)
- Dec 23 (17:00) – Tangier: Botswana v Senegal
- Dec 23 (19:30) – Rabat: Benin v DR Congo
- Dec 27 (17:00) – Tangier: DR Congo v Senegal
- Dec 27 (19:30) – Rabat: Benin v Botswana
- Dec 30 (19:30) – Tangier: Benin v Senegal
- Dec 30 (19:30) – Rabat: Botswana v DR Congo
Senegal: Former Champions Still Among the Favourites
Senegal arrive in Morocco as Africa Cup of Nations winners in 2021 and one of the continent’s most consistent teams of the last decade. Ranked 19th in the world, the Teranga Lions are making their 17th AFCON appearance after finishing top of their qualifying group ahead of Burkina Faso, Burundi and Malawi.
Under coach Pape Thiaw, Senegal retain much of the core that has made them perennial contenders. Kalidou Koulibaly remains the defensive leader, while the midfield boasts a blend of experience and energy in Idrissa Gana Gueye, Pape Matar Sarr and Lamine Camara. In attack, Sadio Mané continues to be the team’s talisman, supported by a formidable cast that includes Nicolas Jackson, Ismaila Sarr and Boulaye Dia.
Senegal will be expected to progress, but Group D offers no margin for complacency.
DR Congo: Two-Time Winners with Renewed Belief
Two-time African champions DR Congo bring history and ambition into the group. Winners in 1968 and 1974, the Leopards are making their 21st AFCON appearance and are ranked 56th globally.
Coach Sébastien Desabre has assembled a squad heavy on European-based professionals. The defence features high-profile names such as Chancel Mbemba, Axel Tuanzebe and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, while the attack is led by Cedric Bakambu, Simon Banza and Fiston Mayele.
Having topped their qualifying group ahead of Tanzania and Guinea, DR Congo will view their clash with Senegal as a defining moment in the group.
Benin Republic: Rohr’s Familiar AFCON Project
Benin return for their fifth Africa Cup of Nations appearance, still buoyed by their impressive quarter-final run in 2019 — their best showing to date. Ranked 92nd in the world, the Squirrels qualified behind Nigeria in their group.
Coached by former Super Eagles handler Gernot Rohr, Benin rely on structure, organisation and discipline. Captain Steve Mounié leads the attack, while defenders such as Olivier Verdon and David Kiki provide experience and stability.
Benin’s opening match against DR Congo could be pivotal in shaping their knockout hopes.
Botswana: Determined Underdogs on a Rare Stage
Botswana complete Group D as the lowest-ranked team, placed 138th globally, but arrive with pride after qualifying for only their second AFCON finals, following their debut in 2012.
Coached by Morena Ramoreboli, the Zebras are built around domestic league players, with forwards Tumisang Orebonye and Kabelo Seakanyeng among the key attacking threats. While expectations are modest, Botswana will aim to frustrate opponents and chase a first-ever win at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Group D Outlook
Group D may lack the defending champions, but it is rich in competitiveness. Senegal bring pedigree and depth, DR Congo offer experience and power, Benin add tactical organisation, while Botswana provide the unpredictability that defines AFCON.
With matches split between Tangier and Rabat, the group promises tight contests, contrasting styles and a fierce battle for progression to the knockout stage.
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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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