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AFCON

GHANA JOINS NIGERIA IN THE WAITING GAME FOR AFCON 2022 TICKET

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Like the Nigerian Super Eagles, Ghana Black Stars have had their final qualification for the African Cup of Nations delayed as Sudan scored a last minute winner in a Group C encounter that ended 2-1 on Tuesday.

The result means that Ghana will have to wait to qualify for the finals having started the day knowing a draw would see them progress.

The game at the Al Hilal stadium in Omdurman was a physical affair with both sides picking up two yellow cards each in a goalless first-half.

Ghana were playing without their injured captain Andre Ayew, who scored both the Black Stars goals in the 2-0 win over the same opponents on Thursday, as well as suspended first-choice keeper Richard Ofori.

Their replacements both played their part with Caleb Ekuban causing trouble for the Sudanese defence and Fatua Dauda making some crucial saves at the other end.

With time running out the Black Stars looked happy to play for the draw but Sudan never gave up and scored in the second minute of time added on.

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Ramadan Agab swung over a cross from the right which was met by Mohamed Abdelrahman and his firm header gave Dauda no chance.

That result means that Ghana stay on nine points level with South Africa as Sudan move to six points with all three still looking for a place at the finals.

The other team in the group are Sao Tome, who are yet to win a single point after their 4-2 loss to South Africa on Monday.

Central Africa 0-2 Morocco (Group E)

Morocco remained unbeaten in Group E with a 2-0 win over Central African Republic, in a game that was played in the Cameroonian city of Douala because there is not a suitable stadium in Bangui.

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Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech scored six minutes before half-time as he floated in a freekick from the right-hand side, Nayef Aguerd rose as if to head the ball but it evaded everyone to end up in the back of the net.

Ziyech then turned provider for the second goal which was scored in injury time, as he squared the ball for Youssef En Neysri to put into an empty net after a ruthlessly fast counter attack by the Atlas Lions.

The result means that Morocco are top of the group with 10 points and need only a draw from their final two games to qualify for the finals.

The other place is wide open with Mauritania on five points after Sunday’s 3-1 loss in Burundi, who have four points and CAR stay on three.

Sierra Leone 0-0 Nigeria; Lesotho 0-0 Benin (Group L)

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Tuesday’s two games in Group L failed to produce a single goal as Nigeria were once again held by Sierra Leone.

The Leone Stars had pulled off a remarkable comeback on Friday to come from four goals down to earn a 4-4 draw.

Despite that result the Super Eagles could have clinched a place in the finals with a win in Freetown.

The results mean that Nigeria are still top of the group with eight points, that’s just one ahead of Benin.

Sierra Leone edge into third place on three points and Lesotho are bottom on two, but both of those sides are still in with a chance of reaching the finals in Cameroon.

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Togo 1-3 Egypt (Group G)


Egypt moved ahead of Comoros on goal difference thanks to a 3-1 win in Togo, who are now out of contention.

The Pharaohs’ first goal came against the run of play in the 18th minute and came thanks to a touch of class from Mohamed Magdi, as he stole into the area and squared the keeper up before scoring into the right-hand corner.

The second came just after the half-hour mark as debutant Mohamed Sherif pounced on a poor back-header from Djene Dakonam to score.

The win was effectively sealed in the 52nd minute as a free kick from the Egypt left was allowed to bounce all the way over the Togo defence, leaving Trezeguet all the time he needed to connect with it with his right foot.

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Togo’s consolation came in injury time from a corner that was not properly cleared allowing Elom Nya-Vedji to slam the ball home.

That result means that Egypt and Comoros both have eight points and look the most likely to reach the finals.

Kenya, who suffered a shock 2-1 loss in Comoros on Sunday have three points and are the only other team who can qualify from the group, with games against Egypt and Togo left to play.

Madagascar 1-1 Ivory Coast; Ethiopia 3-0 Niger (Group K)

The fourth round of matches in Group K have left this one wide open as neither Madagascar nor Ivory Coast could open up a lead at the top and Ethiopia moved closer to the top two.

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Ivory Coast took the lead in Madagascar after just 15 minutes as AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie scored from the penalty spot after a handball by Jeremy Morel.

A formidable shot gave Madagascar an equaliser six minutes after half-time as captain Ibrahim Samuel Amada scored with a thundering strike from the left hand corner of the area which found the top right hand corner of the net.

The game in Ethiopia was delayed by half-an-hour with no official reason given but it did not affect the hosts who took the lead against Niger through Amanuel Gebremikael after just 13 minutes.

The goal was created after some good work in the midfield resulted in the unmarked Shemeles Bekele getting the ball inside the box and his pass was met by Gebremikael’s left foot.

The hosts took control of the game just before half-time with Bekele again providing the final pass for Mesud Mohammed to strike into the top corner from 16 metres out.

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The win was wrapped up with 20 minutes left to play as a poor pass from Niger keeper Moussa Alzouma hit his own defender giving Getaneh Kabede an easy chance to score.

With two matches left to play Ivory Coast top the pool thanks to a better head-to-head record over Madagascar, both teams have seven points, Ethiopia move to six and Niger stay on three.

Angola 0-1 DR Congo (Group D)


DR Congo moved closer to the top two in this group with a narrow win in neighbouring Angola.

Fulham midfielder Neeskens Kebano scored the only goal of the game just after the hour mark with a well taken effort from well outside the area.

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The Gambia top the group ahead of Gabon on goal difference, with both teams on seven points, after the Scorpions 2-1 win over the Panthers on Monday.

DR Congo move to within in a point of the top two while Angola have just one point, but still have a mathematical chance of qualifying for the finals.

Rwanda 0-0 Cape Verde (Group F)

Rwanda held on for a point against visiting Cape Verde despite playing an hour with 10 men.

Amavubi were at a disadvantage for most of the match after the dismissal of Ally Niyonzima for a second yellow card after 30 minutes.

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With only one place up for grabs from the group as Cameroon qualify automatically as hosts the race for the remaining spot is still wide open.

Cape Verde now move level with Mozambique in the group on four points and despite Rwanda having just two so far they are still in with a chance of reaching the finals.

Tuesday’s Afcon 2021 qualifiers:

  • Ethiopia 3-0 Niger (Grp K)
  • Madagascar 1-1 Ivory Coast (Grp K)
  • Lesotho 0-0 Benin (Grp L)
  • Rwanda 0-0 Cape Verde (Grp F)
  • Sudan 1-0 Ghana (Grp C)
  • Central Africa 0-2 Morocco (Grp E)
  • Angola 0-1 DR Congo (Grp D)
  • Sierra Leone 0-0 Nigeria (Grp L)
  • Togo 1-3 Egypt (Grp G)
  • 19:00 Namibia v Mali (Grp A)
  • 19:00 Tanzania v Tunisia (Grp J)

-BBC

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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AFCON

Motsepe Hails King Mohammed VI Over Royal Pardon of Jailed Senegalese Fans

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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.

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“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.

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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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Group I: Algeria Face Tough Challenge from Zambia in AFCON 2027 Qualifiers

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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.

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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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AFCON

Group J: Senegal Begin AFCON 2027 Campaign Against Mozambique

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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.

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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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