AFCON
Super Eagles Renew Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau Rivalry in Tricky AFCON Draw
By Kunle Solaja.
Nigeria will renew familiar rivalries with Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, and also with Tanzania, after the Super Eagles were drawn in a potentially tricky Group L of the African qualifiers, while continental heavyweights across the continent face a mixture of political tension, regional derbies and dangerous underdogs on the road to the next major tournament.
The draw, which produced 12 groups spread across the continent, immediately highlighted several intriguing subplots beyond the traditional favourites expected to dominate qualification.
In Group L, three-time African champions Nigeria will confront Madagascar, Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau in what appears, on paper, a favourable section. Yet the Super Eagles have painful memories of Madagascar, who stunned Nigeria 2-0 at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, while Guinea-Bissau have become increasingly competitive in recent years.
Both Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau were in the same qualifying group for the 2023 edition, with Guinea-Bissau stunning the Super Eagles with a 1-0 defeat in Abuja, and it took a penalty kick for Nigeria to avenge the defeat a week later in Bissau.
When both met again in the final competition two years ago, Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria only profited from an own goal to overcome the slippery Guinea-Bissau.
Tanzania, boosted by regular continental exposure, could also prove difficult opponents, especially at home. The last time both teams met at the 2017 qualifiers, they played goalless in Dar-es-Salaam while Nigeria scraped a 1-0 win in Uyo in what was Gernot Rohr’s first outing with Nigeria.
The group nevertheless offers Nigeria an opportunity to reassert continental authority after inconsistent qualification campaigns in recent years. Much may depend on whether the Super Eagles can avoid the away-day struggles that have often complicated seemingly straightforward African qualifying fixtures.
Defending African champions Morocco national football team headline Group A alongside Gabon, Niger and Lesotho. Morocco will be overwhelming favourites, particularly after their historic FIFA World Cup semi-final run elevated expectations around the Atlas Lions. However, Gabon’s experience and the physical difficulty of away matches in Central Africa could still provide occasional resistance.
Group C has emerged as one of the draw’s most explosive sections, pitting the continental giants Côte d’Ivoire national football team against the Ghana national football team. The rivalry between the West African neighbours has produced some of Africa’s fiercest modern contests, and with Gambia and Somalia also involved, every dropped point could become decisive.
Another heavyweight confrontation lies in Group D where the South Africa national football team face Guinea, Kenya and Eritrea. South Africa’s growing confidence under recent rebuilding efforts will be tested by a Guinea side blessed with technical quality and physical strength.
Group G may prove one of the most unpredictable. The Cameroon national football team must navigate encounters with Comoros, Namibia and Congo. Cameroon’s pedigree makes them favourites, but Comoros are no longer continental newcomers after their impressive AFCON rise, while Namibia continue to show tactical discipline and organisation.
The North African powers also received challenging assignments. Tunisia national football team were paired with Uganda, Libya and Botswana in Group H, while Algeria national football team will battle Zambia, Togo and Burundi in Group I. Zambia’s resurgence could make that section one of the most competitive in the draw.
Perhaps the toughest-looking group overall is Group J, where African champions Senegal national football team meet Mozambique, Sudan and Ethiopia. Sudan’s recent rise on the continental stage and Ethiopia’s difficult home conditions mean Senegal cannot afford complacency.
Elsewhere, Egypt headlines Group B against Angola, Malawi and South Sudan, while Mali, Cape Verde, Rwanda and Liberia make up an evenly balanced Group K that could produce surprise outcomes.
Beyond the football itself, the draw again underlines Africa’s growing competitive depth. Smaller nations that were once regarded as mere participants — including Comoros, Botswana, Namibia and Madagascar — now possess the structure and tactical organisation capable of disrupting established powers.
The qualification campaign is therefore unlikely to be a straightforward procession for Africa’s traditional giants. Instead, it promises another chapter in the continent’s increasingly unpredictable football evolution, where reputation alone no longer guarantees safe passage.
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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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