Senegal's new chapter under Patrick Vieira, Nigeria's injury blow involving Victor Osimhen and a potentially decisive Group L battle headline the opening fixtures in Groups J, K and L of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The road to AFCON PAMOJA 2027 gathers momentum this week as the first round of fixtures in Groups J, K and L gets underway on 25 September, with all six teams looking to make an early statement in the race for qualification.
While traditional heavyweights such as Senegal, Mali and Nigeria will be expected to challenge for top spot, the qualification picture is slightly different in Group L, where co-hosts Tanzania have already secured their place at the finals. As a result, only the highest-ranked team outside Tanzania will qualify from the group, raising the stakes for every match involving Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
New Era Begins for Senegal
Much of the spotlight will be on Patrick Vieira, who takes charge of his first competitive match as Senegal coach when the Lions of Teranga host Mozambique.
The former France international begins his tenure without talisman Sadio Mané, who has been left out due to a fitness issue. However, Vieira still boasts plenty of attacking firepower, including Nicolas Jackson, Iliman Ndiaye, Ismaila Sarr and Assane Diao.
The Senegal squad also features several new faces, while experienced campaigners Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gana Gueye and Pape Matar Sarr remain key figures in the setup.
Senegal open their campaign against Mozambique before travelling to Ethiopia for Matchday Two, with Sudan and Ethiopia meeting in the group's other opening fixture.
Mali, Cape Verde Set for Early Group K Showdown
Group K could provide one of the most competitive battles in the qualifiers, with Mali and Cape Verde meeting in a potentially significant early encounter.
Cape Verde begin a new cycle under Humberto Bettencourt, who was promoted following Bubista's departure and was part of the technical team that guided the Blue Sharks to their historic first FIFA World Cup appearance.
Mali, meanwhile, will be looking to make home advantage count against one of the continent's fastest-rising sides, while Rwanda host Liberia in the group's other opening fixture.
Unlike Group L, both the group winner and runner-up will secure qualification for the finals.
Osimhen Blow for Nigeria
Nigeria's preparations have been disrupted by the absence of Victor Osimhen, who has been ruled out of the opening qualifiers after suffering a muscle injury while playing for Galatasaray.
The striker was initially included in Eric Chelle's squad but will miss crucial fixtures against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau as he continues his recovery.
Despite Osimhen's absence, the Super Eagles still possess significant attacking quality through Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Akor Adams and Tolu Arokodare, while newcomers George Ilenikhena, Arthur Okonkwo and Isaac James have been given opportunities to impress.
Nigeria host a Madagascar side boosted by their recent run to the CHAN final before travelling to Guinea-Bissau four days later.
With Tanzania already assured of a place at the finals as co-hosts, the battle for qualification effectively becomes a three-way contest between Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, leaving little room for slip-ups from the Super Eagles.
Matchday 1 Fixtures
Group J
Senegal v Mozambique
Sudan v Ethiopia
Group K
Mali v Cape Verde
Rwanda v Liberia
Group L
Nigeria v Madagascar
Tanzania v Guinea-Bissau