AFCON
GHANA, SOUTH AFRICA IN TOUGH OPENER FOR 2021 AFCON QUALIFICATION
Attention will most likely shift to Ghana when the main qualification series for 2021 Africa Cup of Nations get underway in November.
The Ghana versus South Africa Group C encounter on November 11 will undoubtedly be the toughest encounter among the 24 matches slated across the continent that day.
South Africa, eliminated in the quarterfinals of the 2019 edition by Nigeria’s Super Eagles will be making a bid for a major upset as they are not often good travellers to West Africa.
The Stuart Baxter’s men begin their Afcon 2021 in November, and have been drawn in Group C alongside the Black Stars, Sudan and one of Mauritius and Sao Tome e Principe, who are set to square off for the final spot in the pool.
This is followed by a home game, where they will be squaring off against Sudan on November 19.
As was the case in the previous campaign, the qualifiers then take a lengthy break of close to a year, before returning in September 2020.
Bafana resume their bid with another home fixture, as they welcome whoever prevailed in the preliminary round between Mauritius and Sao Tome e Principe on 4 September.
There’s another four days before the return leg, where South Africa travel to one of the two islands.
Another clash against Ghana, this time on home soil, follows for the South Africans on Saturday 10 October, and the campaign concludes with a trip to Sudan on 13 November.
Bafana returned to the continental showpiece in the 2019 edition in Egypt, after missing the previous tournament.
They finished in the quarterfinals after eliminating the hosts in the Round of 16.
Ghana, on the other hand, failed to progress past the last 16 after being dumped out by eventual semifinalists Tunisia on penalties after the game ended in a one-all stalemate.
Neither of the three other Group C contenders and prospective qualified for the recent tournament.
Bafana’s 2021 Afcon qualifying programme
11 November 2019
Ghana vs South Africa
19 November 2019
South Africa vs Sudan
4 September 2020
South Africa vs Mauritius or Sao Tome e Principe
8 September 2020
Mauritius or Sao Tome e Principe vs South Africa (a)
10 October 2020
South Africa vs Ghana
13 November 2020
Sudan vs South Africa
Afcon 2021 qualifying groups
Group A: Mali, Guinea, Namibia, Liberia/Chad
Group B: Burkina Faso, Uganda, Malawi, South Sudan/Seychelles
Group C: Ghana, South Africa, Sudan, Mauritius/Sao Tome e Principe
Group D: DR Congo, Gabon, Angola, Djibouti/The Gambia
Group E: Morocco, Mauritania, Central African Republic, Burundi
Group F: Cameroon, Cape Verde Islands, Mozambique, Rwanda
Group G: Egypt, Kenya, Togo, Comoros Islands
Group H: Algeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana
Group I: Senegal, Congo, Guinea-Bissau, eSwatini
Group J: Tunisia, Libya, Tanzania, Equatorial Guinea
Group K: Cote d’Ivoire, Niger, Madagascar, Ethiopia
Group L: Nigeria, Benin, Sierra Leone, Lesotho
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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