By Kunle Solaja

Tunisia and Uganda are set for a fierce qualification battle after the release of the Group H fixtures for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Tunisia begin their campaign at home against Uganda on September 21, 2026, while Libya host Botswana in the other opening match.

The North Africans are favourites to qualify, but Uganda’s recent progress and Botswana’s improving competitiveness are expected to make the group highly competitive.

Tunisia face Botswana away on Matchday Two, then meet Libya in back-to-back North African derbies across Matchdays Three and Four.

The return clash between Uganda and Tunisia on March 22, 2027, could ultimately determine the group winners.

Group H Fixtures (Chronological Order)

Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026

• Tunisia vs Uganda
• Libya vs Botswana

Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026

• Uganda vs Libya
• Botswana vs Tunisia

Matchday 3 — October 2026

• Tunisia vs Libya
• Uganda vs Botswana

Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026

• Libya vs Tunisia
• Botswana vs Uganda

Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027

• Uganda vs Tunisia
• Botswana vs Libya

Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027

• Libya vs Uganda
• Tunisia vs Botswana

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By Kunle Solaja.

Former African champions Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana are set for an explosive start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign after being drawn to face each other in the opening round of Group C fixtures.

The heavyweight West African clash on September 21, 2026 is already shaping up as one of the standout ties of the qualifiers, with both nations eager to stamp their authority early in a group that also includes Gambia and Somalia.

While Côte d’Ivoire host Ghana in the headline fixture of Matchday One, Gambia will entertain Somalia in the group’s other opening encounter.

The Ivorians, reigning continental heavyweights in recent years, will then travel to Somalia on October 6 for Matchday Two, while Ghana welcome Gambia in another potentially decisive contest.

Group C is expected to revolve around the fierce rivalry between Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, whose return clash on March 22, 2027 could ultimately determine the group winners and qualification positions.

Gambia, however, are expected to pose a serious challenge after their impressive rise in African football over recent years, while Somalia will be hoping to produce surprises and gain valuable experience against elite opposition.

The qualification race intensifies with back-to-back fixtures between Côte d’Ivoire and Gambia on Matchdays Three and Four, while Ghana also face consecutive ties against Somalia during the same period.

The final round of fixtures on March 30, 2027 could provide late drama as Côte d’Ivoire host Somalia and Gambia welcome Ghana.

AFCON 2027 Qualifiers – Group C Fixtures (Chronological Order)

Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026

• Côte d’Ivoire vs Ghana
• Gambia vs Somalia

Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026

• Ghana vs Gambia
• Somalia vs Côte d’Ivoire

Matchday 3 — October 2026

• Côte d’Ivoire vs Gambia
• Ghana vs Somalia

Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026

• Gambia vs Côte d’Ivoire
• Somalia vs Ghana

Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027

• Ghana vs Côte d’Ivoire
• Somalia vs Gambia

Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027

• Gambia vs Ghana
• Côte d’Ivoire vs Somalia

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By Kunle Solaja.

South Africa and Guinea will launch their battle for a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with a high-profile showdown after the release of the Group D qualifying fixtures.

The opening Matchday One encounter on September 21, 2026, sees South Africa host Guinea in what is expected to be the headline fixture of the group, while Kenya welcome Eritrea in the other tie.

Group D promises an intriguing contest, with South Africa aiming to reassert themselves among Africa’s elite nations while Guinea seek to continue their steady rise on the continental stage. Kenya are also expected to mount a strong challenge as they pursue a return to the Nations Cup, while Eritrea will hope to spring surprises during the campaign.

South Africa travels to Eritrea on October 6 for Matchday Two as Guinea hosts Kenya in another potentially decisive fixture.

The qualifiers intensify on Matchday Three with South Africa taking on Kenya in a regional East-Southern African clash, while Guinea hosts Eritrea.

The return fixtures in November 2026 could prove pivotal to the final standings, especially Kenya’s home clash against South Africa and Eritrea’s meeting with Guinea.

One of the biggest fixtures of the campaign comes on March 22, 2027, when Guinea hosts South Africa in a potentially decisive penultimate-round showdown that may determine the group winners.

The final round of matches on March 30, 2027, will see Kenya host Guinea, while South Africa welcomes Eritrea as the race for qualification reaches its climax.

AFCON 2027 Qualifiers – Group D Fixtures (Chronological Order)

Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026

• South Africa vs Guinea
• Kenya vs Eritrea

Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026

• Guinea vs Kenya
• Eritrea vs South Africa

Matchday 3 — October 2026

• South Africa vs Kenya
• Guinea vs Eritrea

Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026

• Kenya vs South Africa
• Eritrea vs Guinea

Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027

• Guinea vs South Africa
• Eritrea vs Kenya

Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027

• Kenya vs Guinea
• South Africa vs Eritrea

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