AFCON recap - Renard returns, Ghana unravel, and Nigeria make unwanted history
The opening rounds of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying - and the international friendlies that followed - have left many of the continent's established contenders with plenty of areas to improve.
Debut Nigeria goal will be 'first of many' - Ilenikhena
George Ilenikhena hopes his first goal for Nigeria will be the first of many, after marking his senior international debut with a goal in the Super Eagles' 2-1 win over Madagascar in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Far-too-early AFCON 2027 Power Rankings - Nigeria, Bafana chances assessed, no place for Ghana
Africa Cup of Nations qualifying has begun, with incoming head coaches picking up the reins, teams seeking to maintain their World Cup momentum, and the road to Pamoja 2027 finally beginning.
Carlos Queiroz leaves Ghana post for second time in less than three months
Carlos Queiroz has left his role as Ghana head coach for the second time in less than three months after the Ghana Football Association announced that the two parties had agreed to mutually terminate his contract on Thursday.
Herve Renard's second coming - From breaking Ivory Coast's curse to winning another star
There was something reassuringly familiar about the sight of Herve Renard, crisp formal dress shirt, on the touchline and celebrating an Ivory Coast goal again.
Relebohile Mofokeng stars for Bafana Bafana in Eritrea win
Relebohile Mofokeng was the star of the show for Bafana Bafana as they beat Eritrea 5-0 in a Group D qualifier for AFCON 2027 on Wednesday.
What went wrong for Nigeria in 3-0 AFCON qualifier defeat to Guinea-Bissau
Eric Chelle was handed his first competitive defeat at the helm as Nigeria suffered a decisive setback in the race to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, losing 3-0 to Guinea Bissau on Tuesday.
Nigeria vs. Guinea-Bissau - What the Super Eagles must avoid and embrace to win
Nigeria's 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign is only one game old, but Tuesday's visit to Guinea-Bissau already feels like a decider.
Eritrea vs. South Africa - Bafana look to consolidate position in Cairo
South Africa face Eritrea in Cairo in a Group D AFCON qualifier on Wednesday as Pitso Mosimane looks to build on a winning start to his return.
Egypt rest Salah, cite artificial pitch concerns
Mohamed Salah will sit out Egypt's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Sudan in Juba on Tuesday due to concerns about the artificial pitch, according to a statement from the Egyptian Football Association.
Bafana show strength in depth in win over Guinea
Pitso Mosimane's second stint as South Africa head coach started with a 2-1 win over Guinea in Saturday's 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at Orlando Stadium.
South Africa vs. Guinea - Bafana's AFCON qualifying win, as it happened
South Africa kicked off Pitso Mosimane's second stint in charge with a 2-1 win over Guinea at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday in 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.
Rookies shine in Nigeria win in AFCON qualifiers
Moses Simon won his one hundredth cap for Nigerian but debutants George Ilhenikena and Moses Usor were the heroes, bagging a goal each as Nigeria came from behind to beat Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo.
Nigeria vs Madagascar - Super Eagles have no room for error in Uyo
Nigeria begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Madagascar on Friday, with considerably less margin for error than they would normally expect at the start of qualification.
Can Patrick Vieira rescue Senegal from their hellscape of a year?
Senegal, surely, must be asking what on earth they have done to receive the misfortune and wretched experiences they've endured since January, when they won, and then lost, the AFCON final.
Jackson saves Senegal from dire start to AFCON qualifiers
Patrick Vieira took his first steps into international management on Friday, as his new-look Senegal side began their Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying campaign with a disjointed 1-1 draw against Mozambique in Maputo.
South Africa vs. Guinea - Bafana kick off second Pitso Mosimane era
Bafana Bafana will kick off the second Pitso Mosimane era at Orlando Amstel Arena in Saturday's Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Guinea.
AFCON 2027 qualifiers - Nigeria can't stumble, Ghana absentee-hit, and Vieira's first test
For Africa's national teams, the first international break of the 2026-27 season represents far more than merely the opening qualifying exchanges for next year's Africa Cup of Nations.
Pitso must use AFCON qualifiers to solve Bafana striker and centre-back problems
Of all the selection challenges South Africa head coach Pitso Mosimane faces, two -- striker and centre-back -- are particularly difficult, and the upcoming international break gives him a chance to test solutions.
Osimhen out of Nigeria squad for AFCON qualifiers
Victor Osimhen has been ruled out of Nigeria's opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, after failing to recover from a muscle injury.
Kudus withdraws from Ghana to 'protect recovery'
Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz said Mohammed Kudus' decision to withdraw from Ghana's squad for this 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying window was made to avoid risking a setback in the Tottenham forward's recovery from injury.
Nigeria name injured Osimhen, recall GK Nwabali
Kelechi Iheanacho and Stanley Nwabali are back in the Nigeria squad, with coach Eric Chelle also recalling defenders Ola Aina and Benjamin Fredrick for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
AFCON Qualifying Table
| Group A | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morocco | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +4 | 6 |
| Gabon | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Niger | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 3 |
| Lesotho | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -3 | 0 |
| Group B | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Egypt | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +5 | 4 |
| Angola | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +2 | 4 |
| Malawi | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 3 |
| South Sudan | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -6 | 0 |
| Group C | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Ivory Coast | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +4 | 6 |
| Gambia | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +3 | 6 |
| Somalia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -3 | 0 |
| Ghana | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -4 | 0 |
| Group D | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| South Africa | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +6 | 6 |
| Guinea | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Eritrea | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -5 | 1 |
| Kenya | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 1 |
| Group E | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Congo DR | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +3 | 6 |
| Zimbabwe | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Equatorial Guinea | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 3 |
| Sierra Leone | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| Group F | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Benin | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 4 |
| Burkina Faso | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 4 |
| Mauritania | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | +1 | 3 |
| Central African Republic | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -3 | 0 |
| Group G | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Cameroon | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +2 | 4 |
| Comoros | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 3 |
| Namibia | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Congo | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 1 |
| Group H | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Uganda | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 4 |
| Botswana | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Tunisia | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Libya | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 1 |
| Group I | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Algeria | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +2 | 4 |
| Zambia | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Togo | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 3 |
| Burundi | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 1 |
| Group J | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Senegal | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 4 |
| Mozambique | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +3 | 4 |
| Sudan | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 3 |
| Ethiopia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| Group K | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Rwanda | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +3 | 6 |
| Mali | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +3 | 6 |
| Cape Verde | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -3 | 0 |
| Liberia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -3 | 0 |
| Group L | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Guinea-Bissau | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +5 | 6 |
| Nigeria | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 3 |
| Tanzania | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -2 | 1 |
| Madagascar | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 1 |























