AFCON
Timely Warning: Cameroon Are the Hosts’ Nightmare at AFCON
By Kunle Solaja, Casablanca
As hosts, Morocco prepare to play against Cameroon in Friday’s quarter-final of the Africa Cup of Nations, history offers a cautionary tale for the Atlas Lions.
Over the decades, Cameroon have developed a reputation as a recurring nightmare for host nations at the AFCON, repeatedly ending the dreams of countries staging the tournament — including Morocco themselves.
The trend dates back to 1984, when Cameroon defeated hosts Côte d’Ivoire 2–0 on the final day of Group A, pushing the Ivorians into third place and eliminating them from the competition.
Four years later, Morocco experienced the heartbreak first-hand. Hosting the 1988 edition, the Atlas Lions were knocked out in the semi-finals by Cameroon, courtesy of a late 78th-minute strike from Cyrille Makanaky.
In 1992, Cameroon struck again, eliminating hosts Senegal with an 89th-minute winner scored by Ernest Ebongué.
The pattern continued in 2000, when Cameroon denied co-hosts Nigeria the title in the final, winning on penalties after a dramatic 2–2 draw in regulation and extra time. Earlier in that tournament, the Indomitable Lions had also held the other co-hosts, Ghana, to a 1–1 draw in the opening match.
Cameroon’s dominance over hosts was further reinforced in 2002, when they swept aside Mali 3–0 in the semi-finals en route to lifting their fourth AFCON title. Six years later, in Ghana, the Indomitable Lions once again halted the hosts’ ambitions, edging the Black Stars 1–0 to block their path to the final.
Even at the group stage, Cameroon have not spared host nations. In 2017, they held Gabon to a goalless draw, a result that contributed to the hosts’ early elimination.
Notably, in almost every edition where Cameroon eliminated or denied the host nation, they went on to win the AFCON title, reinforcing their fearsome reputation on enemy territory.
The only hosts to escape Cameroon’s grip were Egypt in 1986. Even then, the final was a titanic contest, ending scoreless before Egypt prevailed 5–4 on penalties.
As Morocco step onto the quarter-final stage, they do so with history looming large. Against Cameroon, the hosts will be seeking not only victory, but also release from a long-standing AFCON pattern that has rarely favoured those playing at home.
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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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