AFCON
FLYING EAGLES AIM FOR THE SKIES AS CAF U20 CHAMPIONSHIP OPENS
BY APESIN ADEMOLA
The Flying Eagles return to CAF U20 Championship after missing the last edition in Zambia two years ago. Sudan eliminated Nigeria on away goal rule at the final qualifying stage of Zambia 2017, denying the most successful team in competition another opportunity to showcase their skills.
Nigeria have lifted the African title a record seven times, the last time being in 2015 when they beat hosts Senegal 1-0 in the final.
Head coach Paul Aigbogun submitted his 21-man final list on January 21 ahead of this Saturday’s opening fixture against Burundi, expressing optimism that his team would triumph in neighbouring Niger Republic.
With the best four team in the championship representing Africa in the FIFA U20 World Cup to be hosted by Poland from May 23 to June 15, the Flying Eagles, finalists at the world stage in 1989 and 2005, will be fired up to qualify from the continent and then challenge for honours in Poland.
The team’s recent build-up fixture against Saudi Arabia U20 in Jeddah was cancelled but the mood in the camp is said to be exciting.
Burundi, Nigeria’s first opponents at Stade General Seyni Kountche in Niamey, are appearing in the competition for the second time. In their inaugural experience, the Junior Itamba went all the way to the final of Nigeria 1995 only to crash to Cameroon 0-4.
Burundi were responsible for Zambia not defending the title they won at home two years ago. They eliminated the Junior Chipolopolo in the final qualifying round.
In the opening match of Niger Republic 2019, the host nation will take on South Africa, both teams in the same Group A with Nigeria.
South Africa’s best performance was being in the final of Morocco 1997, which was won by the hosts 1-0. The Amajita were the fourth placed team in Rwanda 2009 as well as in the last edition two years ago, losing the bronze medal battle in the former to Nigeria 1-2.
This edition is the debut outing for Niger Republic in the competition.
Action will begin in Group B on Sunday with Ghana, the only African team to have lifted the world trophy, going up against Burkina Faso, while Senegal and Mali square up in the earlier fixture.
The Black Satellites won the competition
for the third – and last – time in 2009 and represented the continent very well
at the global stage later that year in Egypt. Captained by
André Ayew, Ghana beat all comers and faced still opposition
against Brazil in the final. After a pulsating 120-minute of action that
produced no goal, Ghana triumphed through the penalty shootout 4-3.
Burkina Faso, Ghana’s Matchday 1 opponents at Stade de Maradi, in Niger Republic’s third largest city, finished in fourth place when they hosted the competition in 2003 and crashed out at the group stage in 2007 in Congo Republic.
Senegal were runners up in the last edition losing to Zambia 0-2. It was a repeat of their performance as hosts in 2015 with Nigeria winning the showpiece match 1-0 in Dakar.
Mali, who face Senegal on Sunday, were runners-up in 1989 and bronze medallists in 2003.
Saturday’s matches…
Group B: Senegal v Mali (4:30pm), Burkina Faso v Ghana (7:30pm)
Sunday’s matches…
Group A: Nigeria v Burundi (7:30pm), Niger Republic v South Africa (4:30pm)
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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