The two rounds will feature home-and-away fixtures and could produce the first teams to secure qualification for the final tournament, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
After the opening two rounds, played between September 24 and October 6, African national teams are preparing for another decisive stretch of qualifying matches. With places still up for grabs in most groups, the coming fixtures could significantly reshape the standings.
Several group leaders will face their closest rivals in direct battles for the top qualifying spots, while other teams will be looking to get their campaigns back on track. Among the most closely watched matchups are the two-legged ties between Côte d’Ivoire and Gambia, Mali and Rwanda, Tunisia and Libya, Burkina Faso and Mauritania, Senegal and Sudan, Nigeria and Tanzania, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar, and Namibia and Cameroon.
Read also : Morocco to face Ethiopia in U23 AFCON qualifiers on November 12 and 17
The fixtures will be especially important in groups containing one of the three co-hosts, as only one additional team from each of those groups will qualify. Group H, for example, will feature two rounds of Tunisia-Libya and South Africa-Kenya matches, with the teams competing for the available qualifying places.
A total of 48 national teams are competing in 12 groups of four, with six rounds of matches scheduled in the qualifying campaign. Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania have already secured their places in the tournament as co-hosts, leaving one additional qualifying spot in each of their respective groups.
The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 will be held in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, 2027.
Group A: Morocco, Gabon, Niger and Lesotho
Morocco are in a strong position to finish top of Group A, having collected six points from their first two matches. The battle for the second qualifying spot remains open between Gabon and Niger, who have three points each.
Gabon have a chance to pull clear through their two matches against bottom-placed Lesotho, who have yet to earn a point. Niger, meanwhile, face a difficult test against Morocco. The Atlas Lions will be looking to win both legs and secure qualification as early as the fourth round.
Niger coach Nabil Neghiz, while acknowledging Morocco’s superiority, has set his team a more modest target. “Before the final two rounds in March, we need to take at least one point against the Atlas Lions,” the Algerian coach said.
Third round
- Gabon vs. Lesotho (November 13, 4 p.m.)
- Morocco vs. Niger (November 13, 8 p.m.)
Fourth round
- Lesotho vs. Gabon (November 17, 1 p.m.)
- Niger vs. Morocco (November 17, 8 p.m.)
Group A standings after round two: 1. Morocco (6 points, +4); 2. Gabon (3 points, 0); 3. Niger (3 points, -1); 4. Lesotho (0 points, -3).
Group B: Egypt, Angola, Malawi and South Sudan
Egypt and Angola lead the group and have an opportunity to extend their advantage in their respective two-legged matchups against Malawi and South Sudan. Both are well placed to qualify for AFCON 2027, and will be looking to strengthen their positions over the next two rounds.
Third round
- Egypt vs. Malawi (November 13, 7 p.m.)
- Angola vs. South Sudan (November 14, 7 p.m.)
Fourth round
- Malawi vs. Egypt (November 17, 1 p.m.)
- South Sudan vs. Angola (November 17, 1 p.m.)
Group B standings after round two: 1. Egypt (4 points, +5); 2. Angola (4 points, +2); 3. Malawi (3 points, -1); 4. South Sudan (0 points, -6).
Group C: Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Gambia and Somalia
Like Group B, Group C has two teams well positioned to reach the final tournament: Côte d’Ivoire and Gambia. Both have won their opening two matches and have six points. Their two-legged encounter will be one of the standout fixtures of the next rounds, with the winner of both matches securing qualification for AFCON 2027.
Ghana will be hoping one of the two leaders drops points so it can close the gap through its own doubleheader against Somalia.
The Black Stars have little margin for error after losing 4-2 at home to Gambia in the second round. Ghana had led 2-0 after 33 minutes before conceding four goals. The team now needs maximum points and a better goal difference if it is to have any chance of claiming second place.
After missing AFCON 2025 in Morocco, the five-time African champions risk missing the continent’s biggest football tournament for a second consecutive edition.
Read also : Morocco drawn against Mauritania, Malawi and Angola in 2026 Beach Soccer AFCON
Third round
- Ghana vs. Somalia (November 12, 3 p.m.)
- Côte d’Ivoire vs. Gambia (November 12, 7 p.m.)
Fourth round
- Somalia vs. Ghana (November 16, 3 p.m.)
- Gambia vs. Côte d’Ivoire (November 17, 4 p.m.)
Group C standings after round two: 1. Côte d’Ivoire (6 points, +4); 2. Gambia (6 points, +3); 3. Somalia (0 points, -3); 4. Ghana (0 points, -4).
Group D: South Africa, Guinea, Kenya and Eritrea
With co-hosts Kenya already qualified, the race for the group’s remaining place is expected to come down to South Africa and Guinea. South Africa lead the standings with six points, while Guinea have three.
South Africa face Kenya in a two-legged matchup and will be looking to win both games to keep Guinea at a distance. Guinea, meanwhile, take on Eritrea, who are bottom of the group. The results of these fixtures could go a long way toward deciding who qualifies.
Guinea still have a chance to reach the tournament, but need to win both matches against Eritrea. They will have to do so without several key players, including Serhou Guirassy, Saidou Sow and Soumaila Sylla.
Any slip against Eritrea would seriously damage Guinea’s chances, particularly as only one team from the group can qualify alongside Kenya, who have already secured their place as co-hosts.
Third round
- Guinea vs. Eritrea (November 12, 4 p.m.)
- South Africa vs. Kenya (November 13, 4 p.m.)
Fourth round
- Eritrea vs. Guinea (November 16, 4 p.m.)
- Kenya vs. South Africa (November 17, 4 p.m.)
Group D standings after round two: 1. South Africa (6 points, +6); 2. Guinea (3 points, 0); 3. Kenya (1 point, -1); 4. Eritrea (1 point, -5).
Group E: DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe
DR Congo lead Group E with six points and could move close to securing a place at AFCON 2027 if they win both matches against Sierra Leone, who have yet to earn a point. Barring an upset, the Leopards are well placed to finish top of the group.
The fight for second place is expected to be between Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea, who each have three points and will face each other twice in the coming rounds. Winning both legs would give either side a strong chance of joining DR Congo at the tournament.
Third round
- DR Congo vs. Sierra Leone (November 12, 4 p.m.)
- Equatorial Guinea vs. Zimbabwe (November 12, 4 p.m.)
Fourth round
- Zimbabwe vs. Equatorial Guinea (November 16, 1 p.m.)
- Sierra Leone vs. DR Congo (November 17, 4 p.m.)
Group E standings after round two: 1. DR Congo (6 points, +3); 2. Zimbabwe (3 points, 0); 3. Equatorial Guinea (3 points, -1); 4. Sierra Leone (0 points, -2).
Group F: Burkina Faso, Benin, Mauritania and Central African Republic
Group F is among the most open, with three teams still in contention for the top spots: Benin and Burkina Faso have four points each, while Mauritania have three.
Benin could pull clear through their two matches against bottom-placed Central African Republic, who have no points. The other key matchup will be between Burkina Faso and Mauritania. Losing both legs would leave either side with a difficult path to qualification.
Benin and Burkina Faso could also secure their places at AFCON 2027 if they win both of their respective matchups against Central African Republic and Mauritania.
Third round
- Benin vs. Central African Republic (November 12, 7 p.m.)
- Burkina Faso vs. Mauritania (November 13, 4 p.m.)
Fourth round
- Central African Republic vs. Benin (November 16, 4 p.m.)
- Mauritania vs. Burkina Faso (November 17, 7 p.m.)
Group F standings after round two: 1. Benin (4 points, +1); 2. Burkina Faso (4 points, +1); 3. Mauritania (3 points, +1); 4. Central African Republic (0 points, -3).
Group G: Cameroon, Comoros, Namibia and Republic of the Congo
No team has established a clear lead in Group G, although Cameroon are favorites to finish first. The second qualifying spot is expected to be contested by Comoros and Namibia.
Republic of the Congo, currently bottom with one point, could also get back into contention if they produce strong results against Comoros. The group may therefore remain undecided beyond the fourth round.
Cameroon, however, have a chance to qualify early if they win both matches against Namibia.
Third round
- Cameroon vs. Namibia (November 12, 7 p.m.)
- Comoros vs. Republic of the Congo (November 13, 1 p.m.)
Fourth round
- Namibia vs. Cameroon (November 16, 1 p.m.)
- Republic of the Congo vs. Comoros (November 17, 7 p.m.)
Group G standings after round two: 1. Cameroon (4 points, +2); 2. Comoros (3 points, -1); 3. Namibia (3 points, 0); 4. Republic of the Congo (1 point, -1).
Group H: Tunisia, Uganda, Libya and Botswana
Tunisia have made a difficult start to their qualifying campaign, drawing both of their opening matches to collect two points. Their position is not yet desperate, however, as their closest rivals have also dropped points.
Libya have one point, while Botswana have two. Uganda lead the group with four points but are already qualified as co-hosts, leaving one place available for the other three teams.
The winner of the two-legged Tunisia-Libya matchup will remain in a strong position to claim that spot. Botswana are also in contention, but will need to beat Uganda in both matches and hope Tunisia and Libya cancel each other out.
Third round
- Tunisia vs. Libya (November 13, 4 p.m.)
- Uganda vs. Botswana (November 14, 4 p.m.)
Fourth round
- Libya vs. Tunisia (November 17, 4 p.m.)
- Botswana vs. Uganda (November 17, 7 p.m.)
Group H standings after round two: 1. Uganda (4 points, +1); 2. Botswana (2 points, 0); 3. Tunisia (2 points, 0); 4. Libya (1 point, -1).
Group I: Algeria, Zambia, Togo and Burundi
Algeria lead Group I with four points and could secure qualification by winning both matches against Togo, who have three points. A pair of victories would guarantee the Fennecs a place at the tournament after the fourth round.
Behind Algeria, the battle for the other qualifying spot is expected to be between Zambia and Togo. The group may not be decided until the fifth round.
Third round
- Zambia vs. Burundi (November 13, 1 p.m.)
- Algeria vs. Togo (November 14, 7 p.m.)
Fourth round
- Burundi vs. Zambia (November 17, 1 p.m.)
- Togo vs. Algeria (November 17, 4 p.m.)
Group I standings after round two: 1. Algeria (4 points, +2); 2. Zambia (3 points, 0); 3. Togo (3 points, -1); 4. Burundi (1 point, -1).
Group J: Senegal, Mozambique, Sudan and Ethiopia
Mozambique have made a promising start with four points and will look to strengthen their position in the group through their two matches against Ethiopia, who have yet to earn a point.
The other major matchup will see Senegal face Sudan. Senegal beat Ethiopia 1-0 in their second match after a disappointing 1-1 draw against Mozambique in their opener. They now need a home win against Sudan to avoid making the final three rounds more difficult.
The Lions of Teranga will also need to show a marked improvement. The expected change in fortunes following Pape Thiaw’s dismissal has yet to materialize, with the team struggling in its first two matches under Patrick Vieira.
Third round
- Senegal vs. Sudan (November 12, 7 p.m.)
- Mozambique vs. Ethiopia (November 13, 1 p.m.)
Fourth round
- Sudan vs. Senegal (November 16, 1 p.m.)
- Ethiopia vs. Mozambique (November 17, 1 p.m.)
Group J standings after round two: 1. Mozambique (4 points, +3); 2. Senegal (4 points, +1); 3. Sudan (3 points, -2); 4. Ethiopia (0 points, -2).
Group K: Mali, Cape Verde, Rwanda and Liberia
Rwanda and Mali lead Group K with six points each and will meet in a two-legged matchup. Both sides are well placed to qualify for the final tournament, although losing both matches could give Cape Verde or Liberia an opening.
Cape Verde, one of the revelations of the last World Cup, have struggled in the early stages of qualifying following the departure of coach Pedro Leitão Brito, known as Bubista. They still have a chance to revive their campaign through their two matches against Liberia, but are under pressure after losing their opening two games.
Third round
- Cape Verde vs. Liberia (November 13, 4 p.m.)
- Mali vs. Rwanda (November 13, 7 p.m.)
Fourth round
- Rwanda vs. Mali (November 17, 7 p.m.)
- Liberia vs. Cape Verde (November 17, 7 p.m.)
Group K standings after round two: 1. Rwanda (6 points, +3); 2. Mali (6 points, +3); 3. Cape Verde (0 points, -3); 4. Liberia (0 points, -3).
Group L: Nigeria, Madagascar, Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau’s first match against Madagascar will be crucial. An away win would strengthen their position at the top of a group in which only one team can qualify, since co-hosts Tanzania have already secured their place.
Guinea-Bissau’s emphatic 3-0 win over Nigeria in the second round could prove decisive when the final standings are calculated. The Super Eagles now have little room for error. To keep their hopes alive, they must win all their remaining matches and hope Guinea-Bissau drop points.
Read also : CAF consults 54 member federations on biennial AFCON
If the two sides finish level, their head-to-head record could decide who advances. The third and fourth rounds will therefore carry considerable weight, although the group may not be settled until the fifth-round meeting between Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau.
For now, Guinea-Bissau have six points and a commanding win over Nigeria behind them. Their qualification hopes remain firmly in their own hands.
Third round
- Madagascar vs. Guinea-Bissau (November 12, 4 p.m.)
- Nigeria vs. Tanzania (November 13, 4 p.m.)
Fourth round
- Tanzania vs. Nigeria (November 17, 1 p.m.)
- Guinea-Bissau vs. Madagascar (November 17, 4 p.m.)
Group L standings after round two: 1. Guinea-Bissau (6 points, +5); 2. Nigeria (3 points, -2); 3. Madagascar (1 point, -1); 4. Tanzania (1 point, -2).
