AFCON 2027 qualifiers: <a href="https://absafricatv.com/south-africa-is-now-set-to-unlock-a-great-new-adventure-tour/" title="South Africa Is Now Set to Unlock a Great New Adventure Tour”>South Africa-Guinea and Burkina Faso-Benin headline Groups D-F opening battles
South Africa begin a new era under Pitso Mosimane against Guinea while Burkina Faso face neighbours Benin as the opening two matchdays of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifiers continue across Groups D-F.
The first two rounds, between 24 September and 1 October for these groups, will also see co-hosts Kenya begin against Eritrea, DR Congo face Equatorial Guinea and Mauritania take on Central African Republic.
There is an added complication in Group D because Kenya are automatically qualified as co-hosts. Under the competition regulations, only the highest-placed team other than Kenya will join them at the finals, increasing the significance of the early meetings between South Africa and Guinea.
Mosimane begins South Africa return against Guinea
Group D opens with perhaps its most significant fixture when South Africa host Guinea on 26 September.
Mosimane is beginning his third spell in charge of Bafana Bafana after succeeding Hugo Broos, who took South Africa to third place at the 2023 AFCON and the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup.
The three-time CAF Champions League-winning coach has kept the core of the World Cup squad but introduced five uncapped players – Lebone Seema, Brooklyn Poggenpoel, Yanela Mbuthuma, Puso Dithejane and Tashreeq Matthews. Ronwen Williams, Teboho Mokoena and Themba Zwane remain among the experienced figures.
Guinea travel to South Africa with Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy expected to lead their attack. Coach Paulo Duarte has recalled Ilaix Moriba, Madiou Keïta and Saïdou Sow, while Aboubacar Keïta has received his first senior call-up. Naby Keïta is among several established names missing.
Kenya, meanwhile, host Eritrea on the same day. Benni McCarthy has selected a 24-man squad captained by Michael Olunga as the Harambee Stars use the qualifiers to prepare for a tournament they are already guaranteed to contest.
South Africa’s second fixture is against Eritrea in Cairo on 30 September, while Guinea host Kenya on 1 October.
DR Congo face Equatorial Guinea in Group E opener
Group E begins on 24 September with DR Congo hosting Equatorial Guinea, while Sierra Leone face Zimbabwe.
Unlike Group D, there is no automatic qualifier in the section, meaning the first two teams after six rounds will advance.
That makes a positive start particularly important in what appears an open group. DR Congo, twice African champions, will hope to use home advantage against an Equatorial Guinea side that has become increasingly competitive at continental level.
Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe meet in the group’s other opening fixture before a quick turnaround for Matchday Two.
Equatorial Guinea will host Sierra Leone on 28 September, while Zimbabwe welcome DR Congo on the same day.
The structure means all four teams will have played once at home and once away after the opening window, providing an early indication of how closely contested the section could become.
Neighbours Burkina Faso and Benin meet
Group F opens with a West African derby between Burkina Faso and Benin on 25 September.
Burkina Faso coach Amir Abdou has called up four newcomers – Ismaël Maïga, Julien Bationo, Mamoutou Ouédraogo and Axel Taonsa – while retaining established players including Edmond Tapsoba, Nasser Djiga, Issa Kaboré, Dango Ouattara and Lassina Traoré. Gernot Rohr has also introduced an in-form newcomer.
Joseph Ede Oloko has earned his first international call-up after scoring 26 goals and providing six assists in 30 matches for Liepaja this season. The Cheetahs will be without injured captain Steve Mounié and suspended defender Olivier Verdon.
Mauritania and Central African Republic contest the group’s other opening match in Casablanca.
The Mourabitounes have named 27 players, with Aboubakary Koita, Mohsine Bodda and Ali Abeid among the established internationals selected. Abdellahi Ba has also received his first call-up.
Matchday Two could quickly reshape the group. Central African Republic face Burkina Faso in Casablanca on 28 September, while Benin meet Mauritania in Abidjan the following day.
With just six matches to determine qualification, the opening double-header offers little margin for error as the six nations in Groups E and F chase two tickets each, while South Africa and Guinea face the additional pressure of effectively competing for Group D’s only qualification place alongside automatically qualified Kenya.
Matchdays 1 & 2 – Groups D-F
Group D: 26 September – South Africa v Guinea (16:00 GMT); Kenya v Eritrea (13:00 GMT). 30 September – Eritrea v South Africa (16:00 GMT). 1 October – Guinea v Kenya (16:00 GMT).
Group E: 24 September – DR Congo v Equatorial Guinea (16:00 GMT); Sierra Leone v Zimbabwe (19:00 GMT). 28 September – Equatorial Guinea v Sierra Leone (16:00 GMT); Zimbabwe v DR Congo (16:00 GMT).
Group F: 24 September – Mauritania v Central African Republic (16:00 GMT). 25 September – Burkina Faso v Benin (19:00 GMT). 28 September – Central African Republic v Burkina Faso (16:00 GMT). 29 September – Benin v Mauritania (19:00 GMT).
