AFCON 2027 qualifiers
Somalia all set to battle Mauritius in AFCON 2027 qualifiers
The national of Somalia, the Ocean Stars are prepared to kick start their TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 qualifiers on a positive note
Somalia will host Mauritius in the first leg of the preliminary round on March 27th in Mozambique, before they travel for the return leg.
Yusuf Ali Nur, Somalia’s head coach told cecafaonline.com that he is optimistic they have a chance to progress to the next stage of the qualifiers.
“The players are all determined and ready to carry the flag of Somalia high. We are aware we have two matches and we must get an early advantage in the first leg,” added Nur.
But before Somalia take to the field, another team from the CECAFA Zone Eritrea will play the first match in the preliminary round of the qualifiers against Eswatini on Wednesday in Morocco.
The Eritrean team also returns to International stage after over five years as they look to make it to the next stage of the qualifiers.
On Thursday Djibouti will take on South Sudan in the first leg to be played in Juba, while Burundi and Ethiopia play away on Friday to Chad and Sao Tome & Principe respectively.
The teams that qualify after the preliminary stage will join other tams that will be drawn in the group stage of the qualifiers.
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will host the AFCON 2027.
The Red Sea Camels of Eritrea will kick start their preliminary round of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 qualifiers under new coach Hesham Yakan.
The Egyptian was unveiled over a week ago by the Eritrean National Football Federation (ENFF) on a one year contract.
He will lead the team when they face Eswatini on March 25th in the first leg of the qualifiers at Stade d’Honneur Stadium in the Morocco. The return leg will be played six days later at the same Stadium, with the winner joining other teams in the group stage of the qualifiers.
Five other teams from the CECAFA Zone will play also play in the preliminary round of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers with Djibouti and South Sudan playing the two matches in Juba between March 26-29th.
Somalia will take on Mauritius, while Burundi battle Chad, and Ethiopia face Sao Tome & Principe. The winners at the preliminary stage with join other teams to tussle it out in the group stage of the qualifiers.
The AFCON 2027 will be hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. It will be the first time that the AFCON is hosted in East Africa.
Preliminary round AFCON 2027 qualifiers
Djibouti vs South Sudan
Somalia vs Mauritius
Chad vs Burundi
Eritrea vs Eswatini
Sao Tome & Principe vs Ethiopia
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has cleared the Dire Dawa Stadium to host the return leg of the preliminary round of the AFCON 2027 qualifier between Ethiopia and São Tomé and Príncipe.
Bahiru Tilahun, the Secretary General of the Ethiopia Football Federation (EFF) says the match will be played on March 31st.
“The qualifier second leg against São Tomé and Príncipe will be played at Dire Dawa Stadium on March 31, 2026 after a successful CAF inspection,” said Tilahun.
Eritrea who also return to the AFCON qualifiers after some years will take on Eswatini, while Burundi face Chad, Somalia battle Mauritius, and South Sudan tussle it out against Djibouti.
The six winners of the preliminary round ties over two legs will advance to join the other 42 CAF Member Associations in the group stage of the qualifiers.
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will host the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027.
Preliminary round fixture
Djibouti vs South Sudan
Chad vs Burundi
Somalia vs Mauritius
Seychelles vs Lesotho
Eritrea vs Eswatini
Sao Tome & Principe vs Ethiopia
Teams from the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Zone Djibouti and South Sudan will face off in the preliminary round of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers.
The draw for the preliminary round of the qualifiers was conducted on January 13th in Rabat, Morocco. Twelve lowly ranked teams as per the FIFA rankings were drawn.
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will host the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027.
Eritrea who also return to the AFCON qualifiers after some years will take on Eswatini, while Ethiopia will battle Sao Tome & Principe. Burundi will also face Chad in the other match, and Somalia take on Mauritius.
According to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the preliminary matches for the qualifiers will be played during the next FIFA International Window, March 25-31 March 2026.
The six winners of the preliminary round ties over two legs will advance to join the other 42 CAF Member Associations in the group stage of the qualifiers.
Preliminary round fixture
Djibouti vs South Sudan
Chad vs Burundi
Somalia vs Mauritius
Seychelles vs Lesotho
Eritrea vs Eswatini
Sao Tome & Principe vs Ethiopia
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