AFCON 2027 qualifiers: Patrick Vieira, Cisse and Renard among coaches starting new African chapters

Former France midfielder and 1998 World Cup winner Patrick Vieira is among a wave of new coaches taking charge of African national teams as the group stage of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers begins.

Vieira has been appointed Senegal coach and will oversee his first competitive matches with the Teranga Lions as 48 nations begin their qualifying campaigns.

A total of 21 new coaches are expected to take charge this week, including six who will lead teams that featured at the 2026 World Cup.

Vieira begins Senegal rebuild

Vieira was born in Senegal but moved to France with his mother as a child before helping Les Bleus win the 1998 World Cup.

The former Arsenal captain now returns to lead the country of his birth after Pape Bouna Thiaw was dismissed following Senegal’s disappointing World Cup campaign.

“I have lots of flashes, such as the place where I used to play football with a tennis ball,” Vieira said after returning to Senegal as an adult.

His first competitive matches will come away from home, with Senegal travelling to Mozambique and Ethiopia before facing Comoros in a friendly in Marseille.

Cisse and Renard take new challenges

Former Senegal coach Aliou Cisse, who guided the country to the 2021 AFCON title, has taken charge of Angola.

Cisse’s first major test comes against Egypt in Cairo on Friday.

Herve Renard, meanwhile, has returned as Ivory Coast coach and faces a difficult start against neighbours Ghana.

Renard has won the AFCON with both Zambia in 2012 and Ivory Coast in 2015.

The Frenchman was also brought in to coach Tunisia during the 2026 World Cup after Sabri Lamouchi was dismissed following a heavy defeat in the opening match.

Tunisia have since appointed former international defender Moin Chaabani as they look to rebuild.

Migne returns to Morocco

Sebastien Migne is the new Gabon coach and will begin his tenure against Morocco on Friday.

The Frenchman has previous experience of facing the Atlas Lions, having coached Haiti when his side twice took the lead against Morocco during a World Cup group match in Atlanta before eventually losing 4-2.

Le Roy makes Congo return

Another familiar name is back in African international football, with 78-year-old Claude Le Roy returning as Congo coach.

Le Roy’s side begin their qualifying campaign away against Namibia on Thursday.

It is his second spell in charge of Congo, having previously managed the national team between 2013 and 2015.

The appointment marks his 12th national team job and extends a remarkable AFCON record.

Le Roy has coached at more AFCON finals than any other manager, with nine tournament appearances and 38 matches at the continental finals.