Ghana’s scheduled friendly against Morocco on 4 October in Tangier has been cancelled, with Mali set to replace the Black Stars against the Atlas Lions.

The change comes during a difficult period for Ghana, who have failed to collect a point from their opening two matches in the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers.

The Black Stars lost 2-0 to Cote d’Ivoire before suffering a 4-2 home defeat by The Gambia. Ghana had taken a 2-0 lead in that match but were unable to hold on.

Once regarded as one of Africa’s leading football nations, Ghana have also endured disappointing recent Africa Cup of Nations campaigns. They were eliminated in the group stage at the 2021 and 2023 tournaments before failing to qualify for the 2025 edition.

Mali will now face Morocco in the friendly that had been intended to provide Ghana with an opportunity to prepare during the international break.

Senegal’s men’s national teams will all play friendly matches during the final days of the international break, with the Football Federation announcing the full programme on Tuesday.

The country is preparing for several international commitments across different age groups. Senegal will feature at the upcoming FIFA U17 World Cup, while the U20 side is working towards the UFOA A U20 tournament and the U23 team is involved in preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations U23 qualifiers.

Senegal’s U20 team will begin the schedule with two matches against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Dakar. The games will take place at Stade Leopold Sedar Senghor on 1 and 3 October.

The same stadium will then host a meeting between Senegal and Gambia at U23 level. The two sides will play twice, on 3 and 5 October, as both teams continue their preparations for the next stage of their international programme.

Senegal’s U17 team, meanwhile, will travel to Paris for two fixtures against France. Those matches are scheduled for 2 and 4 October as the young Lions prepare for the FIFA U17 World Cup.

The senior side will complete the international break with a friendly against Comoros in Marseille on 4 October. The fixture will provide another opportunity for the Lions of Teranga to continue their preparations during a period featuring matches for several Senegalese teams.

Senegal’s beach soccer team also has two games planned. The Lions “of the sand” are preparing for the Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations and will face Nigeria after recently playing a three-match series against the United Arab Emirates.

The programme gives Senegal a particularly busy finish to the international break, with men’s teams at senior, youth and beach-soccer level all involved in friendly fixtures.

Count around 400. Use CAS or Court of Arbitration for Sport? Names exactly officially used requirement. Source TAS = Tribunal arbitral du sport, English officially Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Keep CAF etc. "presided over by French professor Gerald Simon." Good.

Need perhaps "Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 after extra time before CAF Appeal Commission withdrew title from Lions." Strong angle no verdict hearing day. Let's write. Ensure first paragraph headline. Could headline itself be first paragraph. Double newline.

Word count roughly 425. No invented "appeal hearing". Let's go.

Algeria’s 2-2 draw away to Burundi in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers has underlined the challenge facing the team as it begins a new era without Riyad Mahrez and Aissa Mandi.

The international retirements of Mahrez and Mandi have created more than two vacancies in the starting XI. The pair also took with them substantial experience and authority within the Algeria squad, leaving coach Brahim Hemdani searching for a figure capable of taking control when matches become difficult.

Ramy Bensebaini was the natural candidate. The Borussia Dortmund defender had already been viewed as the leading contender to succeed Mahrez as captain, and Hemdani confirmed that expectation by handing him the armband.

But Bensebaini’s first away match as captain, in Bujumbura on Tuesday, showed that leadership requires more than seniority or reputation.

He was involved in the sequence of mistakes that led to Burundi’s opening goal and was then directly at fault for the hosts’ second. The two incidents left Algeria 2-0 down after only 12 minutes and contributed heavily to one of the clearest conclusions from the draw.

That difficult individual display does not, on its own, justify questioning Bensebaini’s position as captain. Even a leader can have a poor match, while the defender retains the experience, character and legitimacy that come with being a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations winner.

The role will, however, demand greater consistency. Bensebaini must organise a defence undergoing reconstruction, remain available despite recurring physical problems and control a temperament that has sometimes led to avoidable bookings. The armband should not change his personality, but it should help him manage it more effectively.

No obvious alternative

Hemdani’s main problem is the lack of an unquestionable alternative.

Nabil Bentaleb has the necessary experience and had been identified as a possible rival to Bensebaini for the captaincy. His lack of physical continuity and inconsistent performances for Algeria have nevertheless weakened that case.

Ismael Bennacer could become a genuine technical leader if he returns permanently to his best form, but he remains some way from that level. Amine Gouiri, Anis Hadj Moussa and Ibrahim Maza represent the future more clearly, yet none currently carries enough authority to lift the team when it begins to lose control.

Algeria’s recent history includes several players who were able to impose their voice on the side. Moussa Saib, Yazid Mansouri, Anthar Yahia, Adlene Guedioura, Mahrez and Mandi did not share the same style or ability, but they could unite, calm or galvanise their team-mates.

When Algeria fell 2-0 behind in Bujumbura after 12 minutes, no such figure emerged clearly.

Bensebaini remains the strongest candidate to occupy that position. His next challenge is to give the armband genuine authority on the pitch. Hemdani may have found his captain, but it would be premature to say he has found his leader.

Cote d’Ivoire continued their winning start to the CAN 2027 qualifying campaign with a 2-0 victory over Somalia at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium on Tuesday.

The Elephants followed up their opening win against Ghana to claim six points from their first two matches. They have also yet to concede a goal, although their latest performance was below the level expected of them for long periods.

Herve Renard’s side dominated possession against a deeply organised Somalia team but struggled to create clear openings or build enough tempo to break through. The breakthrough did not arrive until the closing stages, when the introduction of Yann Gboho and Bazoumana Toure added greater pace and purpose to the attack.

Young players provide the decisive impact

Gboho made an immediate contribution after coming on, finding himself in the right position at the right time to put Cote d’Ivoire ahead. The forward, formerly of Toulouse and now playing for Coventry in England, scored his first goal for the national team.

A few minutes later, Bazoumana Toure added a second to secure the result and remove any remaining doubt about the outcome.

For Arthur Boka, the performance of the two substitutes offers an encouraging sign during the new cycle being developed under Renard. The ability of younger players to make an impact from the bench gives the manager additional options as he continues to shape the team.

Substitutes change the pace

The match also underlined the importance of the solutions available to Cote d’Ivoire beyond the starting XI.

While the initial line-up found it difficult to unsettle Somalia’s defensive block, the changes gave the Elephants more speed in their attacking moves. The increased intensity eventually created the openings required to turn territorial control into goals.

However, Boka remained far less convinced by the overall content of the performance than by the final score. Cote d’Ivoire controlled the ball but lacked movement and acceleration for much of the game, allowing Somalia to remain competitive deep into the second half.

More clinical finishing still required

The home side could have settled the contest considerably earlier. Inaccurate finishing and some poor choices in the final third meant Somalia stayed within touching distance until the closing stages.

That lack of efficiency remains an area for improvement, despite the positive outcome. The Elephants created enough control to win, but not enough consistent danger to suggest they had fully solved the problems posed by a compact defence.

Boka’s assessment is therefore balanced: the result should not be overstated, but neither should the slow start overshadow the significance of two victories, six points and two clean sheets.

Cote d’Ivoire’s next fixture is a friendly against Cameroon on 3 October. The match will provide a stronger test of the progress made by Renard’s team, which has begun the campaign successfully but still needs greater control and cohesion in possession.

Galatasaray are preparing for the January transfer window and are considering reviving their interest in Sunderland midfielder Noah Sadiki, according to Fotomac.

The Istanbul club want to strengthen their midfield and have placed the 21-year-old on their recruitment list. Sadiki currently plays for Sunderland in the Premier League, having joined the English club from Union Saint-Gilloise in the summer of 2025.

Sadiki can operate either as a defensive midfielder or in a more advanced central role. His ability to win possession, energy in midfield and involvement in building play are understood to match the requirements of Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk.

The Turkish club’s directors are reportedly planning to travel to England in January to progress discussions over a possible deal. Sadiki’s age is also viewed as an advantage, with Galatasaray’s recruitment policy including players under the age of 23.

Sunderland signed the DR Congo international from Union Saint-Gilloise for about 17m euros in 2025. Fotomac reports that the Premier League club would now seek a fee above that figure.

Sadiki’s contract with Sunderland runs until 2030, leaving the English club in a strong negotiating position should Galatasaray make a formal approach. The midfielder is valued at 35m euros by Transfermarkt.

His annual income in England is reported to be 2,412,490 euros, equivalent to 1,568,118,500 FCFA.

Sunderland are due to play Brighton in their sixth match of the English league season.

Belgium host Turkey at Stade Maurice Dufrasne on Friday, 2 October 2026, in the third round of the Nations League group stage, with Mark van Bommel expected to keep faith with the side’s recent shape.

Senne Lammens is set to start in goal in the absence of Courtois, while Nathan Ngoy and Brandon Mechele are likely to continue together at the heart of the defence. The pairing has been solid since the World Cup.

Timothy Castagne and Joaquin Seys are expected to complete the back four. In midfield, Romeo Lavia should partner Youri Tielemans, combining defensive balance with experience.

Dodi Lukebakio is in line to replace the suspended Diego Moreira on the wing. Charles De Ketelaere is expected to lead the attack, with the forward preferred to Lukaku. Lukaku could still be introduced during the match.

Belgium’s probable XI

Goalkeeper: Senne Lammens

Defenders: Timothy Castagne, Nathan Ngoy, Brandon Mechele, Joaquin Seys

Defensive midfielders: Romeo Lavia, Youri Tielemans

Attacking midfielders: Dodi Lukebakio, Kevin De Bruyne, Mika Godts

Centre-forward: Charles De Ketelaere

Turkey arrive in poor form but are also expected to retain a three-man defensive system under Vincenzo Montella. Merih Demiral and Ozan Kabak are likely to form part of the back three, with Zeki Celik completing the defensive line.

Oguz Ayd?n and Eren Elmal? should operate as wing-backs, providing width while Orkun Kokcu and Salih Ozcan form the central midfield partnership.

Arda Guler remains Turkey’s main creative outlet and is expected to support Can Uzun and Bar?s Alper Y?lmaz in attack. Montella must work around the absences of Calhanoglu and Kenan Y?ld?z, who are both injured, as he seeks a balanced team combining youth and experience.

Turkey’s probable XI

Goalkeeper: Altay Bay?nd?r

Defenders: Zeki Celik, Merih Demiral, Ozan Kabak

Midfielders: Oguz Ayd?n, Orkun Kokcu, Salih Ozcan, Eren Elmal?

Attackers: Arda Guler, Bar?s Alper Y?lmaz, Can Uzun

The match is the third group-stage fixture in the Nations League for both Belgium and Turkey. The odds listed by 1xbet make Belgium favourites at 1.40, while a draw is priced at 4.50 and a Turkey victory at 5.20.

Yoane Wissa is among 11 players released by the Democratic Republic of the Congo after the Leopards made a winning start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

The decision follows victories over Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe, which have put the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the top of their qualifying group. They opened with a 2-0 win against Equatorial Guinea before beating Zimbabwe 2-1 in Harare.

Head coach Sebastien Desabre will now use the remainder of the international window to assess other members of his squad, with two friendly matches against Uganda ahead.

The Federation Congolaise de Football Association confirmed the departures of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Arthur Masuaku, Axel Tuanzebe, Samuel Moutoussamy, Edo Kayembe, Ngal’ayel Mukau, Meschack Elia, Brian Cipenga, Yoane Wissa, Fiston Mayele and Simon Banza.

Wissa, who scored in both of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s opening qualifying matches, is one of several established players and regular starters to leave the camp. Their departures are part of Desabre’s original plan for the international window and do not indicate any problem within the squad.

Desabre selected two different groups for a programme containing four matches and 14 new call-ups. The intention was to avoid using all of his senior players throughout the entire period.

Having taken six points from a possible six in the competitive fixtures, the released players can return to their clubs without affecting the main objective of the window.

The remaining members of the delegation have travelled to Pretoria for a second training camp, which will run until 6 October. The Democratic Republic of the Congo will face Uganda at FNB Stadium on 2 and 5 October.

Those matches will give Desabre the opportunity to examine players who have yet to establish themselves in the national team. Willy Kambwala, Brandon Ndezi, Jorthy Mokio and Jordy Makengo are among those hoping to strengthen their positions in the squad.

Anthony Musaba of Norwich will not take part after withdrawing from the camp.

The focus of this second phase is therefore different from the opening two matches. Rather than pursuing points in the qualifying table, Desabre wants to expand his options and determine whether the newcomers can move closer to the level of the established players.

The Uganda fixtures are expected to feature a side with less experience and fewer established partnerships, but that is precisely what the coach intends to evaluate. With the senior players having set the team on course in qualification, the opportunity now belongs to those seeking a place in the starting line-up.

Desabre’s task is to discover whether the Leopards can build more than one competitive team as they prepare for the challenges ahead.

Mohamed Bachir Belloumi and Adil Boulbina scored as Algeria recovered from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Burundi in Tuesday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, offering Brahim Hemdani encouragement from an often underestimated domestic talent pool.

The result should not reopen the familiar argument over players developed in Algeria and dual nationals educated in European academies. All represent the same team, and a player’s training background offers no guarantee of success at international level.

But in difficult conditions in Bujumbura, on an artificial pitch during the afternoon, Belloumi and Boulbina produced the moments that allowed Algeria to rescue a point.

Belloumi, who began his development at GC Mascara before joining MC Oran and later continuing his progress in Portugal and England, brought the visitors back into the game by reducing the deficit after 30 minutes.

Boulbina then levelled with an excellent direct free-kick. The two forwards had already emerged as among the few positive aspects of the draw, despite neither producing a flawless performance.

Boulbina, in particular, struggled for parts of the match before his goal. Yet both players delivered what is required from an international in a demanding contest: a decisive contribution when their side needed it most.

The contrast with some of Algeria’s Europe-trained players was apparent. Himad Abdelli found it difficult to influence the game before going off injured, while Fares Chaibi endured a particularly challenging afternoon that included an own goal.

That should not be treated as evidence of a wider rule. Saadi Radouani and Achraf Abada, who represent the Algerian league, also found the match difficult. Belloumi and Boulbina’s achievement was based on their individual performances, not simply where they were developed.

For Hemdani, however, their display is a significant boost. He understands the potential of Algeria’s domestic game, having coached an Algeria U21 side made up exclusively of players from the Algerian league at the Mediterranean Games only weeks before taking charge of the senior team.

That group went on to win the gold medal in Taranto after an almost perfect campaign.

Belloumi now has a strong opportunity to establish himself in the rotation on the right, while Boulbina has demonstrated both his striking technique and his ability to change a game. The presence of Mohamed Amoura makes a place in the starting XI more difficult to secure, but Boulbina’s position in the pecking order is now considerably stronger.

History nonetheless counsels caution. In 2017, Rabah Madjer attempted to give a much greater role to players from the Algerian league. That approach soon revealed its limitations, and Algeria subsequently returned to a team structure dominated by players developed or playing in Europe.

Hemdani does not need to impose a quota. His responsibility is to choose the best players, regardless of where they were trained. But the U21 triumph in Taranto and the goals scored by Belloumi and Boulbina in Bujumbura have delivered a clear message: Algeria’s domestic system can offer more than occasional depth.

The race for the 24 places at the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 is under way, with the tournament scheduled to take place in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from 19 June to 17 July 2027.

Morocco and DR Congo are among the teams to have won both of their opening matches and made perfect starts to the qualifying campaign.

Cote d’Ivoire and Gambia, along with Mali and Rwanda, have already opened up a six-point advantage over third place in their respective groups. Ghana and Cape Verde, however, are already facing an uphill battle after taking no points from their first two games and falling six points behind the qualifying places.

There are still four rounds to play, in November 2026 and March 2027, meaning the standings can change significantly before the qualifiers conclude.

How qualification works

The final tournament will feature 24 teams and will be staged across Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The three countries were appointed as co-hosts, despite persistent rumours that the 2027 edition could be moved to another country.

Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania have qualified automatically as hosts. They are nevertheless taking part in the qualifying competition so they can play official matches in their respective groups.

A total of 48 teams are involved in the group stage. They have been divided into 12 groups of four. Before that stage began, 12 of the lowest-ranked nations contested a preliminary round, with the six winners joining the 42 teams admitted directly to the group phase.

The qualifiers are played as a mini-league, with each team facing every other side home and away. Each nation therefore plays six matches in total, including three at home and three away.

In the nine groups without a host nation - groups A, B, C, E, F, G, I, J and K - the top two teams qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations 2027.

The presence of the three hosts changes the number of qualifying places in their groups. Kenya are in Group D alongside South Africa, Guinea and Eritrea. Uganda are in Group H with Tunisia, Libya and Botswana, while Tanzania are in Group L alongside Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

Because the host nations are already certain of their places, only one additional qualification spot is available in each of those three groups. The highest-ranked team among the other three nations in each group will advance.

Contrary to some reports, results against the host nations are expected to count towards the group standings.

Tiebreaking criteria

Teams are first separated by points. A win is worth three points, a draw one and a defeat none, meaning a side can collect a maximum of 18 points across the six matchdays.

If two teams finish level, the CAF’s head-to-head criteria are applied first. These are points gained in matches between the teams, goal difference in those games, goals scored and away goals scored.

When more than two teams are tied, the head-to-head criteria are initially applied across all the teams involved. If only two remain level, the same criteria are then reassessed using only their matches against each other.

If they still cannot be separated, overall goal difference, total goals scored and away goals scored across the group are considered. A draw conducted by CAF is the final method of deciding the ranking.

Belgium host Turkey on Friday, 2 October 2026, in the third round of Group A fixtures in the Nations League, with both sides looking to strengthen their position in the group.

The match will be played at Stade Maurice Dufrasne (Sclessin) in Liege, with kick-off scheduled for 18:45 GMT.

The game will be broadcast in Sub-Saharan Africa by SuperSport and New World TV, or via DStv Stream. In the MENA region, it will be shown on beIN SPORTS, while DAZN has the rights in Germany and Canada.

Viewers in France can watch the match on La chaine L’Equipe. In Turkey, the broadcasters are ATV and S Sport TV, Ziggo Sport 3 will show it in the Netherlands, and Amazon Prime Video holds the rights in the United Kingdom.

Belgium have three points from their opening two matches and sit second in Group A. Their campaign began with an impressive 2-0 victory away to Italy, but they then lost 1-0 at home to France.

That record leaves the Red Devils in a relatively strong position, although their start has included an element of inconsistency.

Turkey are bottom of the group without a point after two defeats. They lost 1-0 to France before suffering a heavier 4-1 defeat against Italy, meaning they have conceded five goals so far.

The fixture will be the 12th meeting between the two countries, according to Transfermarkt data. Belgium and Turkey have each won three of the previous 11 encounters, while five matches have ended in draws.

Belgium have scored 18 goals across those matches, compared with Turkey’s 17.

The most recent meeting came in June 2011 during European Championship qualifying. That match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Belgium are regarded as favourites for the latest encounter, with home advantage and their victory in Italy strengthening their position. Africafoot’s assessment is that the hosts should be able to control the game against a Turkey side struggling for points, with Romelu Lukaku or Kevin De Bruyne expected to have a decisive influence.

Africafoot’s predicted result is a 3-2 win for Belgium.

The betting odds listed for the game put Belgium at 1.40 to win, with a draw priced at 4.50 and a Turkey victory at 5.20.

Somalia coach Yusuf Ali Nur said his side eventually paid the physical price after holding Cote d’Ivoire at bay for most of the first half of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying meeting.

Somalia produced a disciplined defensive display against one of the continent’s strongest teams, frustrating Cote d’Ivoire for almost an hour with a well-organised defensive block.

After an impressive first-half performance, Nur’s players began to believe they could cause an upset by disrupting Cote d’Ivoire’s plans. However, the intensity maintained by the Ivorian side gradually tested Somalia’s defence, particularly during the final quarter of the match.

The experience and depth available to the Elephants ultimately proved decisive as the game entered its closing stages. Nur acknowledged that his team had been unable to maintain the same physical level until the final whistle.

“We managed to contain Cote d’Ivoire throughout the first half. However, we eventually gave way physically towards the end of the match,” he said.

“Against a team of this stature, you have to be physically ready and remain focused until the very last second of the match.”

Although Somalia were defeated, their performance offered encouragement and reflected the tactical progress made by the team on the continental stage.

The technical staff now intend to build on the discipline shown during the opening 45 minutes as Somalia prepare for their next qualification fixtures with greater ambition.

Morocco have cancelled their international friendly against Ghana, which had been scheduled for 4 October in Tangier.

The fixture had been announced as an opportunity for the Black Stars to test themselves against one of Africa’s leading sides after their commitments related to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

However, the meeting will no longer take place after Morocco called off the planned match between the two nations.

The cancellation leaves Ghana needing to reassess their plans for the October international window. The Black Stars may now have to find another opponent for the date.

Ghana, managed by Carlos Queiroz, had been expected to use the fixture in their long-term rebuilding process. The cancellation means those preparations must now be reviewed ahead of the team’s next commitments.

Kurt Okraku, president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), was confronted by angry supporters after the Black Stars suffered a 4-2 defeat by Gambia in their Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2027 qualifying match at the Accra stadium on Tuesday.

Ghana had appeared to be in control after taking a 2-0 lead, but the match changed dramatically as Gambia scored four times. The result was Ghana’s second consecutive defeat and left the Black Stars bottom of Group C with zero points.

At the final whistle, sections of the home support directed their frustration towards Okraku. Supporters pointed at the GFA president, chanted for him to leave and confronted him as he tried to exit the stadium.

Security officers and members of Okraku’s entourage quickly formed a cordon around him to prevent the situation from escalating into a physical confrontation.

The reaction reflected growing anger among Ghana supporters over what they see as the continued decline of the Black Stars and the national team’s recent struggles to qualify for major competitions.

Calls for structural reforms, as well as demands for the resignation of the leadership of the Ghana Football Association, have intensified on social media and in local sports media.

Okraku is now under significant pressure as Ghana’s CAN 2027 qualifying campaign reaches its lowest point.

The second round of Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying continues on Wednesday, with South Africa taking on Eritrea in Egypt at 16:00 GMT.

The Bafana Bafana secured a hard-fought win over Guinea in their opening match, but now face an Eritrea side that made a strong impression on their return to the continental stage.

Eritrea held Kenya to a draw in the first round of Group D fixtures and briefly looked on course for victory after taking the lead. Kenya only managed to equalise in the 87th minute.

That result has underlined Eritrea’s potential to disrupt the group, where every point could prove decisive. With one of the co-organising nations involved, only one team will qualify, increasing the importance of avoiding dropped points.

South Africa are going through a rebuilding process and will need to remain focused against an Eritrea team with little to lose and plenty to gain. The match represents another significant test for the Bafana Bafana as they seek to build momentum in the qualifying campaign.

Congo coach Claude Le Roy said his side had shown they could compete with Cameroon after securing a 1-1 draw in their Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifier.

The result saw Congo unsettle one of Africa’s most established teams and challenge the expected order on the pitch. Le Roy said the performance reflected the talent and mentality within Congolese football.

“We are 133rd in the world and the 39th-ranked African team, but did you feel there was that much difference between the two teams today? No,” he said.

“I will never stop saying that this country, because I have experienced it before, is full of talent. They are incredible in their mentality, their determination and their tactical intelligence.”

Le Roy, who returned to the Congo role with previous experience of the country, was particularly pleased with the discipline his players showed. They followed the tactical plan closely and were not intimidated by Cameroon’s reputation or the clubs represented in their squad.

The French coach said the draw offered encouragement as Congo attempt to develop their football and compete more consistently at international level.

“We know there are still areas we need to work on, but overall, we carried out exactly the tactical match we had decided to play,” Le Roy said.

“It is precisely what we wanted to do: create danger as quickly as possible and make these Cameroonians tremble. When you look at the clubs these Cameroonians play for, we could have been afraid.”

The point gained against Cameroon rewarded Congo’s approach and gave Le Roy confidence that his players can apply their instructions against stronger opponents.

Algeria’s lack of a specialist defensive midfielder was laid bare in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Burundi in the CAN 2027 qualifiers, after they conceded twice inside the opening 12 minutes.

Mohamed Bachir Belloumi and Adil Boulbina rescued a point for Brahim Hemdani’s side, but the comeback could not conceal the weaknesses exposed by the match in Bujumbura.

The most pressing concern was the lack of balance in midfield. Algeria’s defence looked vulnerable while their attack was isolated for long periods, leaving a large gap through the centre of the team.

The question now facing Hemdani is who can provide consistent protection in front of the back four.

Algeria began in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Himad Abdelli and Fares Chaibi positioned ahead of the defence. Both offer significant technical ability, but neither is a natural holding midfielder accustomed to screening the central defenders, winning challenges and stopping counter-attacks.

Abdelli is more comfortable as a deep-lying playmaker who can move the ball forward, while Chaibi is naturally drawn towards attacking positions and creating chances. Burundi repeatedly found it too easy to pass through Algeria’s first line of defence.

Individual mistakes by Chaibi and Ramy Bensebaini contributed directly to Burundi’s first two goals, although those errors were symptoms of a wider structural problem.

Adem Zorgane brought greater control and improved distribution after Abdelli was forced off injured. However, he is also primarily an organiser rather than a specialist ball-winner.

The issue predates the match in Bujumbura. Since Adlene Guedioura retired, Algeria have not found a player who combines strength, defensive impact and positional discipline in front of the defence.

Hemdani’s options were reduced by the absences of Nabil Bentaleb and Hicham Boudaoui, although their returns would not necessarily settle the debate. Ismael Bennacer needs to regain continuity, while Ramiz Zerrouki has not established himself as an undisputed long-term answer in the position.

There is an apparent contradiction in Hemdani’s approach. He has sought to refresh the midfield with more creative players, including Abdelli, Aouchiche and Bourabaa, who can operate between the lines and make forward runs. But the draw against Burundi showed that technical quality alone is not enough when nobody is dedicated to the defensive work.

Abdelouahab Satta has some of the qualities required, and Hemdani has known the midfielder since the Jeux mediterraneens. The promising MC Alger player, however, still lacks experience at the highest level and appears more likely to be a future option than an immediate solution.

In the short term, Hemdani must either identify a suitable holding midfielder from his squad or adjust the system. A three-man midfield could distribute responsibilities more effectively and prevent two creative players from being left to protect the entire side.

The match in Bujumbura offered an early warning for Hemdani’s tenure: Algeria have talented midfielders, but they still lack the player prepared to perform the defensive work the others do not provide.

Morocco and Algeria meet in Ismailia on Wednesday in a derby that could have a major bearing on qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Under-20 tournament.

The two sides face each other at the Suez Canal Stadium, one month after Algeria defeated Morocco in the semi-finals of the Mediterranean Games. This latest meeting is the third-round fixture of the UNAF U20 tournament in Egypt.

The competition acts as the qualifying event for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be held in Ghana. Egypt, Tunisia and Libya are also involved in the single-group tournament, with only the top two teams securing places in the continental finals.

Kick-off is scheduled for 16:30 in Egypt on Wednesday, 30 September. That is 13:30 in Morocco, 14:30 in Algeria and 15:30 in France.

The match will be available to watch free of charge via the official UNAF YouTube channel, which is showing the tournament fixtures live. Algerian channel TV6 could also broadcast the game after showing Algeria’s previous match against Libya.

Algeria hold the advantage

The neighbours go into the fixture in different positions in the group standings.

Algeria have four points from their opening two matches. Hocine El Orfi’s side began with a 1-1 draw against Tunisia before recovering to beat Libya 3-1.

Mohamed Seddik, Yanis Sellami and Yassine Aiche scored in that victory. Another win would take Algeria to seven points and put them in a strong position to qualify, with their final group match against Egypt due to take place on 6 October.

Morocco have one point from their only game so far. They were given a bye on the opening matchday before drawing 0-0 with Tunisia.

Ludovic Batelli’s side will still have matches against Egypt and Libya after the derby, but defeat on Wednesday would leave them with just one point and significantly reduce their room for error.

Zyad Baha, Ilyes Belmokhtar and Taha Majni will be expected to improve a Morocco attack that failed to score in its opening fixture. Algeria’s Mohamed Seddik is another player to watch after finding the net in each of his team’s first two matches.

The result will matter for more than the traditional rivalry. Algeria can move closer to qualification for the tournament in Ghana, while Morocco need to start collecting points to strengthen their chances of finishing in the top two.

Cote d’Ivoire preserved Herve Renard’s perfect start to his second spell in charge with a 2-0 victory over Somalia, but needed two late goals to overcome a disciplined defence.

Yann Gboho opened the scoring in the 89th minute before Bazoumana Toure added a second in the fifth minute of stoppage time. The final score suggested a more comfortable evening than the one experienced by the Elephants, who had controlled the match for long periods without turning their possession into a decisive advantage.

The result came five days after Renard marked his return to the Ivory Coast bench with a 2-0 win against Ghana. Against Somalia, however, his side struggled to break down opponents who remained compact and organised throughout.

Yan Diomande and Nicolas Pepe tried to create openings from wide positions, while Elye Wahi and his team-mates lacked accuracy in front of goal. Cote d’Ivoire’s dominance brought few clear rewards until the closing stages.

Renard made no attempt to hide his frustration with the performance.

“I saw a difficult first half, with a lot of complacency and clumsiness,” said the France manager.

He also pointed to two particularly costly missed chances, saying his side had failed to convert “two opportunities 50 centimetres from the line”.

“If you score much earlier in a match like this, you are much more comfortable,” he added.

The breakthrough eventually came from the substitutes. Gboho and Bazoumana Toure, both called up in Renard’s first squad for this spell, which included eight new arrivals, scored after coming off the bench.

That represented a marked contrast with Cote d’Ivoire’s opening match under Renard. Their victory over Ghana had been much more controlled, with Malick Yalcouye scoring before Franck Kessie converted a penalty.

Against Somalia, the Elephants at times appeared to rely on their individual quality to eventually prove sufficient. Renard nevertheless highlighted his team’s “persistence and the final result” after they secured six points from two matches without conceding.

The team’s record remains perfect, but the performance has given Renard an early source of dissatisfaction in his new tenure.

Cote d’Ivoire will have a quick opportunity to respond when they face Cameroon in a friendly. Against opponents of a different calibre, the missed chances and complacency criticised by Renard could prove far more costly.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo will face Uganda in a friendly in Johannesburg on 2 October 2026, with Mahamad Sangare, presenter of the sports debate programme La VAR on Burkina info TV, tipping the Leopards to score more than 1.5 goals at odds of 2.08.

Match context

Sebastien Desabre’s DR Congo are top of Group E in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after winning both of their opening matches. They beat Equatorial Guinea 2-0 in Kinshasa before defeating Zimbabwe 2-1 in Harare, giving them six points from six and three points secured away from home.

Uganda began their qualifying campaign with a 1-1 draw against Tunisia in Rades on 24 September 2026. Rogers Mato equalised in the 68th minute after Tunisia had taken the lead.

The result was significant because Uganda are co-hosts of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Kenya and Tanzania and have already qualified for the finals. Their qualifying fixtures therefore provide competitive preparation for the tournament.

DR Congo’s recent form is particularly strong. They have won their past two matches, while also scoring three goals against Uzbekistan, two against Equatorial Guinea and two against Zimbabwe. The friendly matches may nevertheless give Desabre an opportunity to assess new players and tactical systems.

Uganda will take confidence from recovering against Tunisia, although their defensive organisation and attacking efficiency will need to be tested further against the Leopards.

Players to watch

Desabre has selected a specific squad for Uganda’s two friendlies, scheduled for 2 and 5 October 2026 in South Africa. The matches are intended partly to introduce new players and broaden his options.

Jackson Muleka, Afimico Pululu and Samuel Essende are among the attacking players to watch, while Willy Kambwala and Jorthy Mokio offer the technical staff the chance to examine further defensive possibilities. The games should also help DR Congo build cohesion and assess different combinations.

Uganda have called up 28 players under Paul Put, with the squad including footballers based in Africa, Europe and the United States. Rogers Mato, who plays for Hearts FC in Scotland, scored against Tunisia. Steven Mukwala of Al Nasr SC in Libya and Denis Omedi of Gor Mahia in Kenya are further attacking options.

Head-to-head record and betting options

DR Congo lead the historical record, with seven wins from the 14 meetings recorded before October 2026. Uganda have won five times and two matches have ended in draws. Uganda won the most recent notable meeting 2-0 at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, while their last friendly victory over DR Congo came in January 2011. DR Congo scored four goals in their latest official matches.

Other statistical betting options are a DR Congo win at 1.63, both teams to score at 2.26, more than 1.5 goals at 1.40 and an even total at 1.73.

The suggested selections are more than 1.5 DR Congo goals at 2.08, fewer than 3.5 goals at 1.19 and a 2-0 scoreline at 6.49.