New coaches take centre stage as 2027 AFCON qualifiers begin

The road to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) begins in earnest this week, with new coaches and major changes in several national teams among the key talking points.

The 48 teams still in contention will play two rounds of qualifying during the extended international window, with another two matches scheduled for November before the final fixtures are played in March.

The top two teams in nine of the 12 qualifying groups will secure places at the 24-team tournament in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

With the three hosts already guaranteed qualification, only one place is available in their respective groups, meaning a second-place finish may not be enough.

Renard returns to Ivory Coast

Herve Renard is among the biggest names taking charge of a national team during the qualifiers.

The Frenchman, the only coach to have won AFCON with two different countries, has returned to the Ivory Coast job 11 years after leading the Elephants to the continental title.

Renard begins his second spell with the Elephants at home against Ghana on Thursday in one of the standout fixtures of the opening round.

Carlos Queiroz will be in the opposing dugout after returning as Ghana coach following his previous spell with the Black Stars.

However, Tottenham midfielder Mohammed Kudus is among several players who have withdrawn from Ghana’s squad.

Vieira begins Senegal reign

Patrick Vieira is another high-profile appointment ahead of the qualifiers.

The former Arsenal midfielder, who was part of France’s 1998 World Cup-winning team, has taken charge of Senegal, the country of his birth.

Vieira described the role as “an absolute dream” but faces an unusual start to his tenure, with Senegal playing their first two qualifiers away from home.

The Teranga Lions will face Mozambique and Ethiopia because Dakar is preparing to host the 2026 Youth Olympics.

More changes across Africa

Several other teams have also appointed new coaches since the last AFCON and the 2026 World Cup.

Algeria have appointed Brahim Hemdani following the departure of Vladmir Petkovic, while Tunisia have turned to Moin Chaaban after a difficult World Cup campaign.

South Africa have brought back Pitso Mosimane, around 14 years after his previous spell in charge.

Mosimane’s first stint ended with South Africa failing to qualify for the 2012 AFCON.

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Meanwhile, Claude Le Roy has returned to international management at the age of 78 after taking charge of Congo-Brazzaville for a second time.

Le Roy, who guided Cameroon to AFCON glory in 1988, is aiming to coach at a record-extending 10th edition of the tournament.

Burkina Faso have appointed former Comoros coach Amir Abdou, while 2021 AFCON-winning coach Aliou Cisse begins his first competitive matches in charge of Angola with a difficult trip to Egypt.

Eritrea return to group stage

Eritrea are back in the AFCON qualifying group stage for the first time since the build-up to the 2008 tournament after beating Eswatini 4-1 on aggregate in the preliminary round in March.

The Red Sea Camels have been drawn in Group D alongside Kenya, South Africa and Guinea.

They will face co-hosts Kenya in Nairobi on Saturday before playing South Africa in Cairo on Tuesday.

Eritrea are largely relying on players from the diaspora, with only three home-based players included in the squad for their opening two matches.

Meanwhile, Somalia have reached the group stage of AFCON qualifying for the first time and face a difficult group alongside Ivory Coast, Ghana and The Gambia.

The Ocean Stars are ranked 53rd in Africa but will hope to make history as the tournament returns to East Africa for the first time since 1976.

Former champions enter new era

The qualifiers also mark the beginning of a new era for several established teams following the retirement of some of Africa’s biggest stars.

Senegal are searching for a new first-choice goalkeeper after Edouard Mendy retired from international football.

Riyad Mahrez has also ended his Algeria career after captaining the country to the 2019 AFCON title, while Ivory Coast will be without Seko Fofana and Jean-Michael Seri.

Tunisia have also lost Ellyes Skhiri to international retirement, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has stepped back from Gabon duty.

With new coaches taking charge and several experienced players leaving the international stage, the opening rounds of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers will provide an early indication of how Africa’s leading teams are adapting to a changing landscape.