AFCON 2025 ghost hangs over 2027 qualifiers as new campaign begins

The road to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations begins on Thursday with the shadow of the previous final still hanging over the competition, as Senegal and Morocco await a ruling on the disputed title.

A new qualifying cycle gets underway with 48 nations split into 12 groups competing across six rounds through March next year.

The top two teams from nine groups will qualify for the 24-team finals, while the groups containing co-hosts Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will send only one additional team alongside the hosts.

The 2027 tournament will be staged across the three East African countries from June 19 to July 17.

But with the finals now less than a year away, the continent remains without a definitive resolution to the controversial final played in Morocco in January.

Senegal defeated Morocco on the pitch, only for the Confederation of African Football to strip them of the title after the team walked off during a 14-minute protest late in the match.

The title was subsequently awarded to Morocco, with Senegal appealing the decision.

Their appeal will be heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on October 8, meaning the previous edition could remain unresolved even as the next qualifying campaign gathers pace.

Morocco begin as disputed champions

Morocco, meanwhile, enter the new campaign after becoming Africa’s best-performing team at the 2026 World Cup, where they reached the quarter-finals.

They begin their Group A qualification campaign at home against Gabon in Rabat before travelling to Bloemfontein, South Africa, to face Lesotho on September 29.

Lesotho are among 12 nations forced to play their home matches at neutral venues after failing to meet CAF’s stadium requirements for international competition.

Senegal start new era under Vieira

Senegal also begin a new chapter following their disappointing World Cup campaign.

They have moved their home fixture against Mozambique because of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games and will instead open their Group J campaign in Maputo on Friday.

Former France international Patrick Vieira has taken charge as the new coach, while Sadio Mane is among several established players omitted from his first squad.

Tunisia target record extension

Tunisia have also undergone significant changes after becoming the only one of Africa’s 10 World Cup representatives to fail to advance beyond the opening round.

Only 14 players from their World Cup squad have been retained as new coach Moin Chaabani prepares for his first competitive match against Uganda in Group H on Thursday.

Tunisia are seeking to extend their record run of consecutive AFCON appearances to 18.

The opening round also brings an early heavyweight clash, with Ivory Coast hosting Ghana in Group C on Thursday.

South Africa will face Guinea in Johannesburg on Saturday in another important opening fixture, with both sides aware that an early result could shape the direction of their qualifying campaign.