AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Matchday 1 Fixtures, Kick-Off Times & Betting Guide
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The AFCON 2027 qualifiers kick off on Thursday, 24 September 2026, with 24 matches spread across three days as all 48 competing nations begin the road to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Matchday 1 runs from Thursday 24 to Saturday 26 September, headlined by Côte d’Ivoire against Ghana, Morocco hosting Gabon, and Bafana Bafana’s Pitso Mosimane era beginning at home to Guinea.
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What Are the AFCON 2027 Qualifiers?
The AFCON 2027 qualifiers are the six-matchday campaign that decides which nations join co-hosts Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda at the 24-team TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027, scheduled for 19 June to 17 July 2027. It will be the first time the tournament has returned to East Africa since Ethiopia hosted it in 1976, and CAF has branded the campaign “PAMOJA” — Swahili for “Together” — to reflect the joint hosting arrangement.
Forty-eight nations have been drawn into 12 groups of four. Matchdays 1 and 2 are played back-to-back between 24 September and 6 October 2026, with the remaining rounds following on 9-17 November 2026 and 22-30 March 2027.
Full Matchday 1 Fixture List (SAST)
All 24 Matchday 1 fixtures, converted to South African Standard Time (SAST, GMT+2) from CAF’s official kick-off times. The South Africa vs Guinea kick-off is shown as confirmed by South African reporting on the Orlando Stadium venue — see the note below the table.
Thursday, 24 September 2026
| Group | Fixture | Kick-off (SAST) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| G | Namibia vs Congo | 15:00 | Namibia |
| E | DR Congo vs Equatorial Guinea | 18:00 | DR Congo |
| F | Mauritania vs Central African Republic | 18:00 | Mauritania |
| H | Libya vs Botswana | 18:00 | Libya |
| C | Côte d’Ivoire vs Ghana | 21:00 | Bouaké |
| E | Sierra Leone vs Zimbabwe | 21:00 | Sierra Leone |
| G | Cameroon vs Comoros | 21:00 | Cameroon |
| H | Tunisia vs Uganda | 21:00 | Tunisia |
Friday, 25 September 2026
| Group | Fixture | Kick-off (SAST) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| L | Tanzania vs Guinea-Bissau | 15:00 | Tanzania |
| A | Niger vs Lesotho | 17:00 | Niger |
| B | Malawi vs South Sudan | 18:00 | Malawi |
| C | The Gambia vs Somalia | 18:00 | The Gambia |
| I | Togo vs Burundi | 18:00 | Togo |
| J | Sudan vs Ethiopia | 18:00 | Sudan |
| K | Rwanda vs Liberia | 18:00 | Rwanda |
| L | Nigeria vs Madagascar | 18:00 | Nigeria |
| A | Morocco vs Gabon | 21:00 | Rabat |
| B | Egypt vs Angola | 21:00 | Cairo |
| F | Burkina Faso vs Benin | 21:00 | Burkina Faso |
| I | Algeria vs Zambia | 21:00 | Tizi-Ouzou |
| J | Senegal vs Mozambique | 21:00 | Senegal |
| K | Mali vs Cape Verde | 21:00 | Mali |
Saturday, 26 September 2026
| Group | Fixture | Kick-off (SAST) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | Kenya vs Eritrea | 15:00 | Kenya |
| D | South Africa vs Guinea | 15:00* | Orlando Stadium, Soweto |
*CAF’s general Matchday 1 release lists this fixture at 16h00 GMT (18:00 SAST). South African reporting on the Orlando Stadium venue confirms a 15:00 SAST kick-off, which we’ve used here. Full detail in our Bafana Bafana vs Guinea preview.
Biggest Matchday 1 Fixtures to Watch
A few results stand out from the opening round of AFCON 2027 qualifiers:
- Côte d’Ivoire vs Ghana (Thu, 21:00 SAST): a West African heavyweight clash in Bouaké, and the start of a new cycle for the Elephants under returning coach Hervé Renard.
- Morocco vs Gabon (Fri, 21:00 SAST): Morocco open Group A under new coach Mohamed Ouahbi, while Gabon begin their first campaign since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s retirement from international football.
- Egypt vs Angola (Fri, 21:00 SAST): seven-time African champions Egypt host Angola in Cairo in Group B.
- Algeria vs Zambia (Fri, 21:00 SAST): Algeria begin their campaign at home in Tizi-Ouzou.
- South Africa vs Guinea (Sat, 15:00 SAST): Bafana Bafana’s first competitive match under Pitso Mosimane since his return, and the opener of a tight three-way fight for the one non-host spot in Group D.
How Qualification Works
The 48 teams are split into 12 groups of four, playing home and away across six matchdays. In nine of the 12 groups, the top two finishers qualify for the finals. Groups D, H and L are the exception: Kenya (Group D), Uganda (Group H) and Tanzania (Group L) are automatically qualified as co-hosts, so only the single best-ranked team other than the host advances from each of those three groups.
| Stage | Dates |
|---|---|
| Matchdays 1 & 2 | 24 September – 6 October 2026 |
| Matchdays 3 & 4 | 9 – 17 November 2026 |
| Matchdays 5 & 6 | 22 – 30 March 2027 |
| AFCON PAMOJA 2027 Finals | 19 June – 17 July 2027, Kenya/Tanzania/Uganda |
Where Bafana Bafana Fit In
South Africa sit in Group D alongside co-hosts Kenya (already qualified) and Eritrea, meaning Bafana Bafana and Guinea are effectively fighting for one finals place. The group opens with Kenya vs Eritrea and South Africa vs Guinea, both on Saturday 26 September, before Bafana Bafana travel to Cairo to face Eritrea on 30 September. For full squad news, kick-off details and how to watch, see our dedicated Bafana Bafana vs Guinea preview.
How to Bet on the AFCON 2027 Qualifiers
South African licensed bookmakers typically list AFCON qualifiers under an International Football or “Africa Cup of Nations Qualification” section, with markets including match result (1X2), both teams to score, double chance, correct score, and outright group-winner or qualification markets. Outright qualification markets tend to carry a heavier bookmaker margin than a single match line, often 110-118% or more once every team in a group is priced up, so it pays to compare a couple of operators before backing a group winner rather than taking the first price you see. Only operators listed on the National Gambling Board’s Verified Operators Register are legally licensed to take your bet in South Africa.
Compare current AFCON qualifier odds and promotions across SA-licensed operators on our best sports betting sites in South Africa hub before placing a bet.
Responsible Gambling
Betting should cost you no more than any other form of entertainment. Use deposit limits, take breaks, and contact the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation on 0800 006 008 or WhatsApp/SMS HELP to 076 675 0710 if it stops feeling like a choice.
Gambling is for adults aged 18 and over only. Please gamble responsibly.
Sources and Useful Links
- CAF Online: “ROAD to AFCON 2027: TotalEnergies CAF AFCON PAMOJA 2027 Qualifiers take centre stage as Matchdays 1 and 2 kick-off” (21 September 2026)
- CAF Online: “AFCON 2027 qualifiers: South Africa-Guinea and Burkina Faso-Benin headline Groups D-F opening battles”
- BettingGuru SA — Bafana Bafana vs Guinea Preview
- BettingGuru SA — NGB Verified Operators Register Guide
- BettingGuru SA — Legal Betting Sites in South Africa
BettingGuru SA Disclaimer
BettingGuru SA is an independent betting information and comparison platform. This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal or professional advice. Fixtures, kick-off times and venues are correct as of publication and sourced from CAF’s official release, but qualifiers involving 48 nations are occasionally subject to late changes; always confirm on CAFOnline.com before travelling to a venue. Odds and operator terms can change; always check current prices with your operator before betting. We may receive commission from selected betting partners featured on this site; this does not affect our editorial independence. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ only.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the AFCON 2027 qualifiers start?
The AFCON 2027 qualifiers start on Thursday, 24 September 2026, with the first of 24 Matchday 1 fixtures played across Thursday, Friday and Saturday that week.
How many teams are in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers?
48 African nations are competing across 12 groups of four, chasing 21 remaining places at the 24-team AFCON PAMOJA 2027 finals (Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda qualify automatically as co-hosts).
When does Bafana Bafana play in Matchday 1?
South Africa host Guinea at Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Saturday, 26 September 2026, with kick-off confirmed for 15:00 SAST.
Where will the AFCON 2027 finals be held?
The TotalEnergies CAF AFCON PAMOJA 2027 finals will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from 19 June to 17 July 2027, the first time the tournament has returned to East Africa since 1976.
Can I bet on the AFCON 2027 qualifiers in South Africa?
Yes, licensed South African bookmakers offer markets on AFCON qualifier matches, including match result, both teams to score and outright group-winner markets. Always check that your operator holds a valid South African gambling licence before betting.
