2027 AFCON Qualifiers: Morocco, DR Congo, Ivory Coast and Mali close to early qualification

Morocco, DR Congo, Ivory Coast and Mali could become the first teams to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after winning their opening three matches ahead of Matchday 4.

The four nations have made perfect starts to their qualifying campaigns and could secure their places at the tournament with another victory when the fourth round of fixtures takes place on Monday and Tuesday.

Morocco, who lead Group A, need to overcome Niger on Tuesday to guarantee their qualification.

Ivory Coast and Mali are in similar positions in Groups C and K respectively, with victories also potentially enough to confirm their places at the finals.

DR Congo have an even clearer opportunity in Group E, where results elsewhere could help the Leopards seal qualification with a win against Sierra Leone.

With the qualifying campaign reaching an important stage, Matchday 4 could provide the first confirmation of teams heading to the 2027 tournament, while several other nations face increasing pressure to keep their hopes alive.

Morocco, Ivory Coast and Mali target early qualification

Morocco have been among the strongest performers in the qualifying campaign, collecting maximum points from their first three matches to establish themselves at the top of Group A.

The Atlas Lions hold a three-point advantage over Gabon, their closest challengers, and know that a victory against Niger on Tuesday would be enough to secure their qualification.

Their position gives them an opportunity to settle the matter before the remaining group fixtures, although they must first overcome a Niger side looking to improve its standing in the group.

Ivory Coast are in a comparable situation in Group C.

The defending African champions have also won all three of their opening matches and could book their place at the 2027 finals with another victory.

Mali have enjoyed a similarly impressive start in Group K, putting themselves in a strong position to progress to the continental competition.

Like Morocco and Ivory Coast, the Eagles have collected nine points from their opening three fixtures.

A positive result in the fourth round could therefore bring their qualification campaign to an early conclusion.

The three teams will be looking to maintain their impressive form and avoid leaving their qualification hopes dependent on the final rounds of matches.

DR Congo have clearest route to qualification

DR Congo could have the most straightforward opportunity to secure their place among the four nations chasing early qualification.

The Leopards currently lead Group E after winning their first three matches and remain unbeaten in the campaign.

Their position has been strengthened by the situation involving their closest challengers, Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea, who are both level on four points ahead of their Matchday 4 meeting.

The two sides will face each other in a fixture that could have a significant impact on the group’s standings.

A victory for DR Congo against Sierra Leone would put them in a strong position to confirm their qualification, with the result of the other match potentially working in their favour.

The Leopards have already demonstrated their strength in the group, and another win would further underline their dominance in the qualifying campaign.

They will be particularly keen to maintain their unbeaten record as they look to complete their qualification early rather than leave the matter until the final rounds.

Battle for second place expected to intensify

While the leading teams are looking to secure their places at the tournament, the race for the remaining qualification spots is expected to become increasingly competitive.

In Groups A, C, E and K, the possibility of early qualification for the leaders means attention will also turn to the teams fighting for second place.

Gabon, Zimbabwe, Equatorial Guinea and the other chasing nations will be aware that every point could prove important as the qualifying campaign progresses.

The situation is considerably tighter in the remaining groups, where several teams are separated by just one or two points.

That leaves little room for mistakes, with the outcome of Matchday 4 potentially changing the standings and the balance of the qualification race.

Unlike the four group leaders who have made strong starts, the other contenders may have to wait until the closing rounds before their qualification hopes become clearer.

With the fourth round of fixtures scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, the 2027 AFCON qualifiers are approaching an important turning point.

Morocco, DR Congo, Ivory Coast and Mali have the opportunity to become the first nations to book their places, but the battle for the remaining tickets is expected to continue until the final stages of the campaign.