Five key fixtures to watch as 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying begins

The race for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations begins on Thursday, 24 September, with 48 teams competing across six rounds of matches for places at the tournament.

The finals will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, with 24 national teams eventually reaching the competition. Several high-profile fixtures stand out on the opening matchday, including historic rivalries, new managerial eras and rematches from previous Africa Cup of Nations campaigns.

Cote d’Ivoire v Ghana

The Group C meeting between Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana is one of the biggest matches of the opening round.

The Elephants, three-time Africa Cup of Nations winners, begin a new era under returning coach Herve Renard. The Frenchman has introduced eight new players to his squad as he looks to build for the future while maintaining Cote d’Ivoire’s ambitions.

Ghana, four-time African champions, are also attempting to rebuild. Several players who missed the 2026 World Cup have been recalled as the Black Stars seek to re-establish themselves among the continent’s leading sides.

Morocco v Gabon

Morocco begin their Group A campaign against Gabon at the Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdallah in Rabat, with Mohamed Ouahbi in charge.

The Atlas Lions have included several young players, with Abdellah Ouazane, Soufian El-Faouzi and Yassir Zabiri receiving their first senior call-ups.

Gabon are undergoing a similar transition under Sebastien Migne. The Pantheres must adapt to the international retirement of former captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, making this an important early test of their new direction.

Cameroon v Comoros

Cameroon and Comoros have already met in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign for the 2019 tournament. The first match ended 1-1 before Cameroon won the return fixture 3-0.

Their most memorable meeting came in the last 16 of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, played in January 2022, when the Indomitable Lions won 2-1.

Cameroon will want a positive start, while Comoros will aim to show that their rise in African football is more than a temporary development.

DR Congo v Equatorial Guinea

DR Congo host Equatorial Guinea at the Stade des Martyrs, although the match will be played behind closed doors because only part of the Congolese stadium has been approved.

Sebastien Desabre’s Leopards will target three points, with Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe also awaiting them later in the group.

Equatorial Guinea, however, will not be straightforward opponents. The Nzalang Nacional reached the semi-finals of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations and have qualified for the 2021, 2023 and 2025 editions.

Mali v Cape Verde

Mali have home advantage against Cape Verde, a side whose progress has accelerated in recent years.

Cape Verde reached the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup before losing narrowly to Argentina, underlining their growing status.

The teams previously met in qualifying for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. Cape Verde won the first game 1-0, but Mali responded with a 3-0 victory in the return fixture.

With all six matchdays likely to be closely contested, the opening results could quickly shape the qualification race.