The race for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) enters a crucial phase as 48 national teams begin their qualifying campaigns during the extended September international window.
The qualifiers, which commence on Thursday, will feature two rounds of matches before another set of fixtures in November. The final group games are scheduled for March, when the 24 finalists will be confirmed.
The tournament will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, with the three host nations already assured of places at the finals. As a result, only one additional qualification slot will be available from each of their groups.
Nine of the 12 qualifying groups will send their top two teams through, while the hosts’ automatic places could make finishing second insufficient in some sections.
Several countries have entered the qualifying campaign with new managers following changes made since the previous AFCON and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
One of the most notable appointments is the return of Hervé Renard to the Ivory Coast bench. The French coach, who guided the Elephants to AFCON glory in 2015, has been brought back more than a decade later.
Renard’s first assignment will be a home encounter against Ghana on Thursday, one of the most anticipated games of the opening round.
Ghana will be led by Carlos Queiroz, who returned to the Black Stars after their World Cup campaign. However, Tottenham midfielder Mohammed Kudus is among those unavailable after withdrawing from the squad.
Senegal have also appointed former France international Patrick Vieira. The 50-year-old, born in Senegal, has described the position as a dream opportunity.
Vieira’s first competitive tests will come away from home against Mozambique and Ethiopia, with Senegal unable to host matches in Dakar because the capital is preparing for the 2026 Youth Olympics.
Cape Verde will also begin a new era following the departure of long-serving coach Bubista.
His former assistant Humberto Bettencourt has been promoted and faces Mali away on Friday before Rwanda visit Cape Verde the following Tuesday.
Algeria, Tunisia and South Africa have also changed coaches since the World Cup.
Tunisia have appointed Moin Chaaban as they attempt to recover from a disappointing World Cup campaign.
South Africa, meanwhile, have recalled Pitso Mosimane, who previously managed Bafana Bafana more than a decade ago.
Algeria have turned to Brahim Hemdani following the departure of Vladimir Petkovic.
Veteran French manager Claude Le Roy has also returned to international management at the age of 78, taking charge of Congo-Brazzaville for a second spell.
The appointment gives him another opportunity to reach a record 10th AFCON finals.
Burkina Faso have appointed former Comoros coach Amir Abdou, while Angola have handed Aliou Cisse his first competitive matches since taking charge.
The former Senegal manager faces a difficult opening fixture away to Egypt.
The qualifying series will also feature several teams dealing with the absence of experienced internationals who have retired or stepped away from national duty.
Senegal must find a replacement for goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who has ended his international career after helping the Lions win the 2021 and 2025 AFCON titles.
Algeria will be without Riyad Mahrez, who has retired from international football after captaining the side to continental success in 2019.
Ivory Coast are also missing midfielders Seko Fofana and Jean-Michael Seri, while Tunisia will be without Ellyes Skhiri.
Gabon face uncertainty over Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has opted against returning to the national team despite making a strong start to the season with Deportivo La Coruna.
Aubameyang previously criticised the treatment he received following Gabon’s early elimination from the last AFCON and remains outside Sebastien Migne’s squad.
Meanwhile, Eritrea have returned to the main qualifying stage for the first time since the campaign for the 2008 tournament.
The Red Sea Camels secured their place after defeating Eswatini 4-1 on aggregate in the preliminary round in March. However, seven Eritrean players reportedly failed to return home after the away match in South Africa.
Defections by Eritrean athletes have previously been a major concern, contributing to the country’s withdrawal from qualification campaigns for the 2023 AFCON and 2026 World Cup.
Eritrea have been placed in Group D alongside Kenya, South Africa and Guinea.
They will face Kenya in Nairobi on Saturday before meeting South Africa in a match being staged in Cairo on Tuesday.
The squad contains only three players based in Eritrea, with the majority coming from the diaspora.
Somalia have also made history by reaching the group phase of AFCON qualifying for the first time.
The Ocean Stars face a difficult section containing Ivory Coast, Ghana and The Gambia.
Despite being ranked 53rd in Africa, Somalia will hope to produce a surprise as the continent’s premier tournament prepares to return to East Africa for the first time since 1976.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong