AFCON
South Africa, Cameroon Renew Rare AFCON Rivalry in Rabat Last-16
By Kunle Solaja, Rabat.
Key Match Stat:
The last three meetings between South Africa and Cameroon have all ended in draws, including a friendly on 10 January 2015 and both matches during qualification for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.
South Africa and Cameroon will meet at the Africa Cup of Nations for only the second time when they square off in a Round of 16 encounter at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat on Sunday night, with kick-off set for 20h00 local time (19h00 GMT).
Despite their long-standing status on the continental stage, meetings between South Africa national football team and Cameroon national football team at Africa’s flagship tournament have been rare. Their only previous AFCON meeting came in the opening match of the 1996 edition, when hosts South Africa stunned Cameroon 3–0 at Soccer City, a result that ignited Bafana Bafana’s historic march to their maiden continental title.
Across all competitions, the sides have faced each other nine times. South Africa hold the historical edge with three wins, while Cameroon have managed just one victory, with five matches ending in draws. Notably, Cameroon’s lone success came in a 2–1 friendly win in July 1992, and the Indomitable Lions have not beaten South Africa in the seven encounters played since then.
The fixture carries personal significance for South Africa head coach Hugo Broos, who famously guided Cameroon to their fifth AFCON crown in 2017. Broos was in charge of the Indomitable Lions when the teams met during qualification for that tournament, with both legs finishing in 2–2 draws. Adding another layer of nostalgia, assistant coach Helman Mkhalele is expected on the touchline after featuring as a substitute in South Africa’s iconic 1996 opening win over Cameroon.
While emotions may run high, both teams arrive in Rabat determined to assert themselves in what promises to be a tightly contested knockout tie. South Africa are seeking to build on recent progress and surpass their previous AFCON outing, while five-time champions Cameroon continue their campaign with a squad their technical staff describe as still under construction but steadily improving.
With the last three meetings between the sides all ending in draws — including a January 2015 friendly and both 2017 AFCON qualifiers — fine margins are once again expected to define the outcome.
“If you win an AFCON with a country, there’s always a little place in your heart that stays for the rest of your life,” Broos said. “That’s the case with Cameroon and me. But tomorrow I can’t have mercy. I want to win because I’m the coach of South Africa now.”
Midfielder Teboho Mokoena echoed that ambition, stressing the team’s desire to go further than before. “The talk in camp is that we need to do better than the last AFCON. We know it will be tough against Cameroon, but we’re looking forward to the game,” he said.
Cameroon head coach David Pagou underlined the challenge ahead, praising South Africa’s cohesion. “They are the most cohesive team in this competition,” he said. “It will be a very difficult match, but it is a point of pride just to be here.”
For Cameroon defender Samuel Kotto, the contest represents the reward for collective effort. “A lot of work and preparation is underway. It’s a matter of great pride to represent our country — we are like a family,” he said.
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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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