The race for places at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will intensify this week as African nations return for Matchdays 3 and 4 of the qualifying campaign, with 48 fixtures scheduled across the 12 groups from November 12 to 17.
The November double-header will see several group leaders face direct rivals, while teams seeking to revive their campaigns have an opportunity to close the gap in the standings.
The tournament, officially branded AFCON PAMOJA 2027, will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, 2027. The three host nations have automatic qualification, although they will continue to participate in the qualifying competition.
Here are the major fixtures and talking points across the 12 groups.
Group A: Morocco Target Another Strong Result
Morocco have collected six points from their opening two matches and will seek to maintain their position at the top of Group A.
The Atlas Lions face Niger, while Gabon take on Lesotho in the other group fixture. Morocco will be looking to strengthen their qualification position with another positive result.
Group B: Egypt and Angola Seek Advantage
Egypt and Angola are level on four points at the top of Group B, with Malawi also in contention.
Egypt face Malawi, while Angola meet South Sudan. Both leading sides will be targeting victories as they seek to create an advantage in the group.
Group C: Ivory Coast Meet Gambia
Ivory Coast and Gambia have both won their opening two matches and will meet in one of the round’s most anticipated fixtures.
Ghana and Somalia, meanwhile, are yet to earn a point. Their meetings across the two matchdays offer both sides an opportunity to revive their campaigns.
Group D: South Africa Face Kenya
South Africa will take on co-hosts Kenya, with the two teams meeting twice during the international window.
Guinea also face Eritrea in the group, as the teams compete for the qualification place available alongside Kenya’s automatic ticket to the finals.
Group E: DR Congo Aim to Maintain Momentum
DR Congo have made a strong start to Group E and will face Sierra Leone, who are seeking their first points of the campaign.
Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe will also meet in a contest that could influence the battle for the remaining qualification places.
Group F: Benin and Burkina Faso Lead
Benin and Burkina Faso are level on four points at the top of Group F, with Mauritania close behind.
Benin face the Central African Republic, while Burkina Faso take on Mauritania. The results could reshape the standings in one of the closely contested groups.
Group G: Cameroon Face Namibia
Cameroon lead Group G with four points, while Comoros and Namibia are also in contention.
The Indomitable Lions face Namibia, while Comoros meet Congo. Both fixtures could have a significant impact on the group standings.
Group H: Tunisia and Uganda Under Pressure
Uganda, one of the tournament’s co-hosts, lead Group H with four points. Botswana and Tunisia have two points each, while Libya have one.
Tunisia face Libya, while Uganda meet Botswana. With Uganda already assured of a place at the finals, the other teams will be competing for the remaining qualification spot.
Group I: Algeria Face Togo Test
Algeria lead Group I with four points and will meet Togo, who are seeking to close the gap.
Zambia, also on three points, face Burundi in the other fixture. Both encounters could influence the race for the top position.
Group J: Senegal Take on Sudan
Senegal and Mozambique are level on four points, with Sudan close behind on three.
Senegal face Sudan in a key contest, while Mozambique meet Ethiopia, who are yet to collect a point. The results could change the balance at the top of the group.
Group K: Mali and Rwanda Clash
Mali and Rwanda have both won their opening two matches and will meet in a contest between the group’s early pace-setters.
Cape Verde and Liberia, meanwhile, will face each other as they seek their first points of the qualifying campaign.
Group L: Nigeria Face Tanzania After Guinea-Bissau Defeat
Guinea-Bissau have taken maximum points from their opening two matches to lead Group L, while Nigeria have three points.
The Super Eagles suffered a 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau, leaving them under pressure to respond in their upcoming double-header against co-hosts Tanzania.
Nigeria host Tanzania before travelling for the return fixture. Although Tanzania have automatic qualification, the Super Eagles will need positive results to improve their position in the group and strengthen their campaign.
Guinea-Bissau, meanwhile, face Madagascar twice as they seek to maintain their strong start.
A Crucial Stage in the Qualification Race
The November fixtures will take the qualifying campaign beyond its halfway point, with several groups finely balanced and important meetings scheduled between direct rivals.
Morocco, DR Congo, Algeria and Senegal will aim to strengthen their positions, while Nigeria, Ghana and Tunisia face important tests as they seek to improve their standings.
For the Super Eagles, the two meetings with Tanzania provide an opportunity to respond to their defeat against Guinea-Bissau and keep their qualification campaign on track.
