AFCON 2027: contenders face a double test as qualifying heats up
The race to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations is about to move up another gear. From 12 to 17 November, African national teams will play two matches within a few days, with a lot at stake in all twelve groups. With top-of-the-table clashes, chances to bounce back and leaders obliged to deliver, this fourth window of the campaign could already reveal the first trends before the final two matchdays.
Rieltony LOUBOKO · Author profile ·
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Leaders face a defining test
Several groups feature head-to-heads between sides level on points. That is notably the case in Group C, where Ivory Coast and Gambia, each on six points, meet twice, on 12 and 17 November. The double-header could allow one of the two to go clear at the top on their own.
The same scenario is on offer in Group K. Mali and Rwanda, who won their first two matches, face each other on 13 and 17 November. Burkina Faso and Mauritania also have two important fixtures in Group F. The Stallions have four points, against three for the Mourabitounes, and will have to be wary of opponents capable of drawing level with them.
In Group A, Morocco, leaders on six points, will look to extend their perfect record against Niger on 13 and 17 November. Gabon, on three points, will at the same time seek to bounce back against Lesotho. DR Congo, top of Group E on six points, have the same ambition against Sierra Leone, who have yet to register a single point.
Several favourites under pressure
Other major sides go into this window with less room for manoeuvre. That is the case for Nigeria, second in Group L on three points after their 3-0 defeat by Guinea-Bissau. The Super Eagles face Tanzania on 13 and 17 November. Already qualified as hosts, the Tanzanians can only lay claim to one additional place in this group. Guinea-Bissau, who have six points, will take on Madagascar.
Ghana are also in a delicate position. Beaten in their first two outings, the Black Stars must react against Somalia, who are also without a win, on 12 and 16 November. In Group H, Tunisia will look to pull away from Libya in their two meetings on 13 and 17 November.
Senegal, for their part, meet Sudan again on 12 and 16 November. The Lions of Teranga have four points, level with Mozambique, who will face Ethiopia. Algeria, leaders of Group I on four points, will take on Togo, third on three points, on 14 and 17 November. Zambia and Burundi will also meet in this group.
Chances to consolidate
In Group B, Egypt and Angola, who each have four points, will try to open up a gap against Malawi and South Sudan. The Pharaohs host Malawi on 13 November before travelling on the 17th. Angola face South Sudan over the same period.
South Africa, who lead Group D on six points, will take on Kenya, while Guinea face Eritrea. In Group G, Cameroon, top on four points, meet Namibia again. The Comoros and the Republic of Congo, meanwhile, play two important matches as they try to close in on the top places.
Finally, in Group J, Mozambique and Senegal, level on four points, will look to consolidate their position. Mozambique will face Ethiopia, while Senegal will meet Sudan. In Group H, Uganda, already qualified as hosts, take on Botswana, who will try to use this double-header to improve their standing.
Full schedule for the third and fourth matchdays
Group A
Matchday 3 – 13 November:
- Gabon – Lesotho
- Morocco – Niger
Matchday 4 – 17 November:
- Lesotho – Gabon
- Niger – Morocco
Group B
Matchday 3:
- Egypt – Malawi, 13 November
- Angola – South Sudan, 14 November
Matchday 4 – 17 November:
- Malawi – Egypt
- South Sudan – Angola
Group C
Matchday 3 – 12 November:
- Ghana – Somalia
- Ivory Coast – Gambia
Matchday 4:
- Somalia – Ghana, 16 November
- Gambia – Ivory Coast, 17 November
Group D
Matchday 3:
- Guinea – Eritrea, 12 November
- South Africa – Kenya, 13 November
Matchday 4 – 17 November:
- Eritrea – Guinea
- Kenya – South Africa
Group E
Matchday 3 – 12 November:
- DR Congo – Sierra Leone
- Equatorial Guinea – Zimbabwe
Matchday 4:
- Zimbabwe – Equatorial Guinea, 16 November
- Sierra Leone – DR Congo, 17 November
Group F
Matchday 3:
- Benin – Central African Republic, 12 November
- Burkina Faso – Mauritania, 13 November
Matchday 4:
- Central African Republic – Benin, 16 November
- Mauritania – Burkina Faso, 17 November
Group G
Matchday 3:
- Cameroon – Namibia, 12 November
- Comoros – Republic of Congo, 13 November
Matchday 4:
- Namibia – Cameroon, 16 November
- Republic of Congo – Comoros, 17 November
Group H
Matchday 3:
- Tunisia – Libya, 13 November
- Uganda – Botswana, 14 November
Matchday 4 – 17 November:
- Libya – Tunisia
- Botswana – Uganda
Group I
Matchday 3:
- Zambia – Burundi, 13 November
- Algeria – Togo, 14 November
Matchday 4 – 17 November:
- Burundi – Zambia
- Togo – Algeria
Group J
Matchday 3:
- Senegal – Sudan, 12 November
- Mozambique – Ethiopia, 13 November
Matchday 4:
- Sudan – Senegal, 16 November
- Ethiopia – Mozambique, 17 November
Group K
Matchday 3 – 13 November:
- Cape Verde – Liberia
- Mali – Rwanda
Matchday 4 – 17 November:
- Rwanda – Mali
- Liberia – Cape Verde
Group L
Matchday 3:
- Madagascar – Guinea-Bissau, 12 November
- Nigeria – Tanzania, 13 November
Matchday 4 – 17 November:
- Tanzania – Nigeria
- Guinea-Bissau – Madagascar
After these two matchdays, the teams will still have two matches left to try to secure their ticket to the finals. AFCON 2027 will be held from 19 June to 17 July in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. These three countries are automatically qualified as co-hosts. In their respective groups, only one other team can therefore claim a ticket.