AFCON
UPDATE FROM CAF CONGRESS: AHMAD SEEKS FIFA’S HELP TO GET DIPLOMATIC STATUS FOR CAF FOREIGN STAFF
A cold war that has existed between the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Egyptian government came to the fore on Thursday at the CAF General Assembly.
CAF founded on 8 February 1957 in Khartoum, Sudan moved its offices to Cairo few months later after a fire outbreak in the offices of the Sudanese Football Association destroyed foundation documents.
During Thursday’s meeting CAF’s president Ahmad has asked
FIFA president, Gianni Infantino to help in finalizing the headquarters
agreement.
The hosting agreement between CAF and Egypt government started in 2007 for five years and was automatically extended in 2012 for another five years before expiring in 2017.
“Today CAF is in a precarious situation. Anything can happen here on our premises because we still do not have an agreement on our headquarters. This is why I am addressing you, the Presidents of Federations,” Ahmad told the CAF’s general assembly on Thursday.
“There are many challenges to overcome. Reforms will not be easy. Even our employees at CAF have trouble getting visas to work. Some come under tourist visa!,” the CAF president added.
EFA’s former boss responds
From his side, resigned Egyptian Football Association president and FIFA’s executive committee member Hani Abu Rida has denied Ahmad’s statements, confirming Egypt will always help the CAF and introduce all facilities to ease the federation’s missions.
“I affirm that the CAF is enjoying all privileges more than any federation in the world, including FIFA itself,” Abu Rida told the CAF’s general assembly.
“To give the CAF’s employees a diplomatic prescription should be passed from the parliament,” he added.
“I confirm that the matter is on its way to be solved,”
“Egypt is a country that works within the law and respects Africans, as well as secures complete protection for its workers,” the FIFA’s executive committee member announced.
“Egypt will always and forever host the CAF’s headquarters and has been since its establishment in 1957,” Abu Rida concluded.
The CAF’s general assembly that took place in Cairo early on Thursday comes one day ahead of the final game of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt between Algeria and Senegal.
Egypt proved to be a hero by hosting the 2019 African Cup of Nations (2019 AFCON) tournament after Cameroon, whom was originally granted hosting rights, was stripped of its duties after delays in preparations for the expanded 24-team tournament.
“We can’t ignore Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi’s cooperation in organising the competition in five months,” Ahmad Ahmad told a press conference last June.
“There were a lot of challenges concerning this tournament, but we tried to overcome them and organise a competition with 24 national teams,” he said.
Infantino congratulates Egypt
FIFA chief Gianni Infantino congratulated Egypt for its incredible organizing of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations during his attendance at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Congress’s headquarters in Cairo on Thursday.
“I congratulate Egypt for this great organizing of the Africa Cup of Nations, and for an incredible tournament,” Infantino said during the CAF congress.
He also emphasized that Egypt amazed the world with its magnificent infrastructure and perfect stadiums.
The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations final game will be played between Algeria and Senegal at Cairo Stadium on Friday.
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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