AFCON 2027 qualifiers begin as Senegal and Morocco await title verdict

The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign begins on Friday with uncertainty still surrounding the identity of the previous tournament’s winners.

Senegal, who originally lifted the 2025 AFCON trophy after beating Morocco 1-0 in the final in Rabat on 18 January 2026, begin their qualifying campaign against Mozambique in Maputo.

However, Morocco were awarded the 2025 title on 17 March after the Confederation of African Football’s appeals panel ruled that Senegal had effectively forfeited the final.

Senegal’s football federation has appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, with the case due to be considered in Lausanne on 8 October and a verdict expected in November.

Senegal and Morocco begin new campaign

The dispute stems from the 2025 AFCON final, when Senegal players left the pitch for almost 20 minutes after referee Jean-Jacques Ngambo awarded Morocco a late penalty following a video assistant referee review.

Minutes earlier, Ngambo had declined to consult VAR after disallowing Ismaila Sarr’s goal for Senegal.

While the legal battle continues, both nations now turn their attention to the next AFCON campaign.

Morocco host Gabon in Group A in Rabat on Friday, while Senegal travel to Maputo to face Mozambique in Group J.

48 teams compete for 24 places

The qualifying campaign will eventually reduce 48 teams to 24 finalists for the tournament, which will be hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania from 19 June to 17 July 2027.

The three co-hosts will compete in Groups D, H and L respectively, with only one other team from each of those groups qualifying.

In the remaining nine groups, the top two teams will advance to the finals.

Ghana and Ivory Coast renew rivalry

Ghana and Ivory Coast meet in Bouaké in one of the opening Group C fixtures, with both sides having featured at the 2026 World Cup.

Both reached the knockout stage in the United States, Canada and Mexico, although Ghana were beaten by Colombia and Ivory Coast lost to Norway.

Ghana have retained coach Carlos Queiroz despite their early World Cup exit.

“There is always a new challenge,” said the 73-year-old Portuguese on the eve of the match.

“For me, the most important trophy at this moment is the next game … You cannot be on the top roof without climbing the steps of the building, and the steps for us now are to win the next game.”

Ivory Coast have also changed coach, with Hervé Renard returning to lead the team after Emerse Faé was dismissed.

Renard previously guided Ivory Coast to the 2015 AFCON title and also led Zambia to the continental crown in 2012.

“The game against Ghana is a major fixture in African football,” Renard said.

“Ghana are a strong side. The match will be no easy task for anyone. Against such a formidable opponent, we’ll need to be fully focused from the kick-off and stick to our game plan.

“Nothing will be handed to us on a plate but we’ve prepared with the utmost rigour and with the firm intention of dictating the pace of the game on home soil.”

Cape Verde begin campaign after World Cup debut

Cape Verde, who made their World Cup debut in 2026, start their Group K campaign against Mali on Friday.

The Blue Sharks have appointed Humberto Bettencourt as their new coach following Bubista’s departure.

Cape Verde will also face Rwanda and Liberia in Group K as they seek to qualify for another major international tournament.

Nigeria without Osimhen

Nigeria begin their Group L campaign at home to Madagascar on Friday without Victor Osimhen.

The striker has been ruled out of the first two matches because of a muscle injury.

Coach Eric Chelle has called up Coventry City forward Taiwo Awoniyi, who returns to the Nigeria squad for the first time since 2023.

The other Group L fixture sees Tanzania host Guinea-Bissau as the 2027 AFCON qualifying race gets under way across the continent.