AFCON
SEYCHELLES OPEN CAMP FOR EAGLES’ ENCOUNTER
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
The Pirates, the national team of Seychelles, open their training camp this Sunday as they prepare for Saturday’s match with the Super Eagles in one of the Match Day 2 of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The gathering point is Maison Football Ground in Roche Caiman.
Coach Gavin Jeanne invited 30 players, including two overseas ones from Germany and Australia. He homes to trim the assembly to 20 players just before the match with the Super Eagles on Saturday.
The match holds at the 10,000 capacity Stade Linite. Coach Jeanne who was reappointed to manage The Pirates last March has expressed disappointment at local clubs’ response to national camp invitation to players.
He explained that some clubs were reluctant to release their players for training, stating the fear of injuries as their main reason, while some players are faking injuries just to skip training.
“The feeling I get is that some clubs think we are competing against them,” noted Coach Jeanne.
Carl Hopprich of Hertha Zehlendorf in Germany is one of the two overseas players expected in Seychelles’ camp.
With genuine injury problems, Coach Jeanne will be without Karl Hall, Warren Mellie, Rashim Padayachy and possibly Colin Bibi.
To fill in the gaps Australia-based Alexander Hoareau and Carl Hopprich who plays in Germany have been called in.
Coach Jeanne also noted that other than clubs, some selected players have no interests whatsoever in playing for the country.
Those expected in camp this Sunday are:
Goalkeepers – Dave Mussard (La Passe), Alvin Michel (St Michel), Jerome Dingwall (Red Star Defence Forces), Romero Barra (LightStars).
Defenders – Bertrand Esther, Juninho Mathiot, Jude Nancy (St Louis), Benoit Marie, Oliver Bonté, Jones Joubert (Côte d’Or), Laurel Ladouce, Adrian Constance (La Passe), Andrew Onezia, Colyn Francourt (Red Star Defence Forces).
Midfielders – Alexandre Hoareau (Australia), Colin Bibi (St Louis), Kiren Sinon, Basil Bertin (Northern Dynamo), Nelson Laurence, Trevor Vidot (St Michel), Carl Hopprich (Hertha Zehlendorf, Germany).
Forwards – Colin Esther (Côte d’Or), Jean-Claude Berlouis (PTL Bazar Brothers), Gervais Waye-Hive, Elijah Tamboo (St Louis), Randolph Lablache (Rovers), Perry Monnaie (La Passe), Darrel Damoo (Victoria City).
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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