2027 Africa Cup qualifiers - starts with fireworks

The Details
48 teams are chasing their spot at AFCON 2027, hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, and this week's opening qualifying window delivers a stacked slate across the continent. There are World Cup stars, injury blows, and a manager's homecoming.

01. Côte d'Ivoire vs Ghana 
Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026
Time: 19:00 GMT
Venue: Stade de la Paix, Bouaké

The headline fixture of the entire opening round. Real Madrid's Yan Diomandé leads a Hervé Renard side fresh off a World Cup 2026 round-of-32 run. Ghana arrive severely weakened. Carlos Queiroz is without Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo, Jordan Ayew and Thomas Partey, making this a tall order for the four-time AFCON champions against the reigning continental kings.

02. Nigeria vs Madagascar
Date: Friday, September 25, 2026
Time: 16:00 GMT
Venue: Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo

Eric Chelle's Super Eagles have been hit before kick-off. Victor Osimhen has been ruled out due to a muscle strain sustained at Galatasaray. However, captain Wilfred Ndidi, Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi are still set to headline the squad. Meanwhile, Madagascar will hand debuts to goalkeeper Zacharie Boucher and striker Roman Ferber as the Barea chase their first return to the AFCON finals in years.

03. Morocco vs Gabon 
Date: Friday, September 25, 2026
Time: 19:00 GMT
Venue: Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat

04. Egypt vs Angola 
Date: Friday, September 25, 2026
Time: 19:00 GMT
Venue. Cairo International Stadium, Cairo (40,000 fans expected)

05. Algeria vs Zambia 
Date: Friday, September 25, 2026
Time: 19:00 GMT
Venue: Stade Hocine Aït Ahmed, Tizi Ouzou

06. Senegal vs Mozambique 
Date: Friday, September 25, 2026
Time: 19:00 GMT
Venue: Estádio Nacional do Zimpeto, Maputo

07. South Africa vs Guinea 
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Time:16:00 GMT,  
Venue: Orlando Stadium, Soweto

A landmark day for Bafana Bafana
It's Pitso Mosimane's first competitive match since returning for a third spell in charge. 

With Group D's automatic qualifier, Kenya is already through as co-hosts, this clash is effectively a straight fight between South Africa and Guinea for the group's real prize.