Morocco’s squad depth was on full display as they beat Niger 5-1 at the Mohammed V Complex in Casablanca on Friday in the third round of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Mohamed Ouahbi’s side were without six important players, but the absences did little to disrupt the Atlas Lions. Several substitutes took their opportunity to impress, with some making a particularly dramatic impact after coming off the bench.

Azzedine Ounahi, Neil El Aynaoui, Ismael Saibari, Soufiane Rahimi, Ayoub El Kaabi and Chadi Riad were all unavailable for the latest international gathering. Their absence could have affected Morocco’s balance, yet Ouahbi’s team produced a convincing performance and secured a comfortable victory over Niger.

The result was significant not only because of the scoreline, but also because of the options available to the Morocco manager. His substitutes repeatedly added intensity and quality, turning their introductions into a strong argument for future opportunities.

Youssef En-Nesyri was the first to make a decisive contribution. The Al-Ittihad striker came on for Yassir Zabiri in the 69th minute and made an immediate impression on his return to international football.

A headed effort was ruled out for offside shortly after his arrival, but En-Nesyri soon found the net. He reacted quickest in the penalty area to finish a precise delivery from Achraf Hakimi, further strengthening Hakimi’s position as a leading contender for the 2026 African Ballon d’Or.

En-Nesyri also remained involved in Morocco’s attacking play and could have provided a goal for Ayoub Oufkir, whose performance was one of the evening’s major highlights.

The 20-year-old AZ Alkmaar winger was making his first appearance for the Atlas Lions and brought energy and directness from the moment he entered the pitch. Oufkir attempted five shots, all of them on target, and continued to threaten after initially being denied by Niger’s goalkeeper and defenders.

He eventually scored at the far post, meeting an excellent cross from Abdellah Ouazane. The Ajax Amsterdam prospect had been introduced in the 84th minute, but still managed to leave a clear impression despite his limited time on the field.

Morocco’s positive contributions were not restricted to its attacking players. Reda Belahyane returned to the national team after a two-year absence and injected pace into midfield.

The Lazio midfielder pressed aggressively to win possession, made himself available to receive the ball and supported attacks with forward runs. In around 15 minutes on the pitch, he completed 13 of 16 passes and helped create En-Nesyri’s goal by releasing Hakimi with the pass before the assist.

The strength of Morocco’s squad gives Ouahbi considerable options, but it also presents him with a difficult management challenge. He must handle his players’ minutes carefully in Tuesday’s second leg and may have to leave some current performers disappointed when the injured players return.

Algeria will look to strengthen their position at the top of Group I when they host Togo in their third Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying match on Saturday.

Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00 local time in France and Algeria at the Hocine Ait Ahmed Stadium in Tizi-Ouzou. The match will be shown live in France on beIn Sports 1 and in Algeria on Al Aoula.

The hosts began their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Zambia before drawing 2-2 with Burundi in September. They currently lead the group on goal difference from Zambia, who moved level on points with Algeria after drawing with Burundi on Friday.

A victory would give the Fennecs a three-point advantage at the summit and provide them with a stronger platform in the race to qualify for the tournament.

Algeria will, however, have to contend with a depleted squad. Six players have left the camp, with Abdelatif Ramdane, Jaouen Hadjam, Hicham Boudaoui, Bachir Belloumi, Amine Chiakha and Rafik Belghali all unavailable.

Ramdane is absent following the death of his father, while the other five players have been ruled out through injury. Rayane Yesli, Fahem Benaissa-Yahia, Adem Zorgane and Saadi Radouani have been called up as replacements.

Belloumi and Chiakha have not been replaced in the squad.

Algeria have a strong recent record against Togo, winning their past four meetings. All four matches came in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, with Algeria recording a 1-0 victory in June 2017, a 4-1 win in November 2018 and two further successes in October 2024, by scores of 5-1 and 1-0.

Togo sit third in the group after opening their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Burundi. The Eperviers were beaten 2-0 by Zambia in their second match, leaving them needing a result in Tizi-Ouzou to stay firmly in contention.

Algeria’s squad will therefore attempt to maintain their unbeaten start despite the list of absences, while Togo aim to recover from their defeat in Zambia and close the gap on the teams above them.

Achraf Hakimi produced a commanding performance for Morocco in their 5-1 victory over Niger on Friday, scoring twice and providing an assist as the 2026 Ballon d’Or Africain voting continues.

The Paris Saint-Germain right-back had never previously scored two goals in a single appearance for his country. He broke that record at an important moment, helping Morocco secure a third successive win in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

However, it was not only Hakimi’s goals that attracted attention. Mohamed Ouahbi gave the Morocco captain the same freedom he enjoys at Paris Saint-Germain under Luis Enrique, allowing him to move inside from his starting position on the right rather than remain fixed to the touchline.

That approach enabled Hakimi to influence the game in advanced areas and repeatedly trouble Niger’s defence. His opening goal in the 27th minute was a clear example of his positioning. He ran into the space created by Brahim Diaz at the edge of the penalty area before striking powerfully into the corner.

The finish had more in common with the work of an attacking midfielder than a traditional full-back.

Hakimi added his second goal from a free-kick three minutes into first-half stoppage time. He came close to completing a hat-trick when the Niger goalkeeper tipped a direct corner over the bar shortly after the hour mark.

Instead, Hakimi supplied the final contribution of his evening by setting up Youssef En-Nesyri, giving him three direct goal contributions in the match.

His wider statistics underlined the scale of his influence. He registered five shots on target from five attempts, created two chances and produced one major opportunity. Hakimi also had 90 touches, completed 59 of his 64 passes for a 92% success rate and made 37 of those passes in the opposition half.

He completed all three of his attempted dribbles, won eight of nine ground duels and recovered possession six times.

Niger may not represent the strongest opposition in African football, but Hakimi’s display strengthens the case that his form has returned at a significant time in the race for the continent’s top individual award.

The performance came 15 days after he scored a hat-trick and supplied two assists for Paris Saint-Germain in their 5-1 Ligue 1 win over Le Havre.

With voting under way and the Ballon d’Or Africain due to be awarded on 2 December, the defending champion has provided an impressive reminder of his credentials. His latest showing offered the kind of platform Hakimi will have wanted as he attempts to remain at the top of African football.

Italy can secure a place in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals with a draw against Belgium on Sunday, while the hosts must win at the King Baudouin Stadium to keep their own campaign alive.

The Group A leaders head into the final matchday after contrasting victories over France and Turkey in midweek. Italy and France have 10 points each, one ahead of Belgium, with Roberto Mancini’s side currently top because of their superior head-to-head record.

Belgium recovered from last month’s 4-1 defeat by France, when they conceded four times in the final quarter of the match, by coming from behind to beat Turkey in Izmir.

Arda Guler put the hosts ahead with a spectacular free-kick, but Belgium responded with two goals before half-time. Kevin De Bruyne and Charles De Ketelaere turned the game around to give Mark van Bommel’s side a crucial victory and inflict a fifth successive Group 1 defeat on Turkey.

Goalkeeper Senne Lammens was also required to make two important late saves. The result kept Belgium in contention for the last-eight stage, having finished behind France and Italy in the 2024-25 Nations League.

Only the top two sides in the group qualify, meaning Belgium must beat Italy to overtake them. Italy, meanwhile, have won three of their four matches since losing 2-0 at home to Belgium on the opening day and will finish at least second if they avoid defeat.

The Italians strengthened their position with a 3-1 victory over France at San Siro on Thursday. After a 1-1 draw in Paris earlier in the campaign, France took an early lead in Milan with help from Gianluigi Donnarumma, but Francesco Pio Esposito soon equalised.

His brother Sebastiano missed a penalty, sending his effort well wide, before Davide Frattesi put Italy ahead. Pio Esposito then converted a second penalty to complete the comeback. It was Italy’s first home victory over France since 1962.

Belgium remain without Thibaut Courtois, who is taking a break from international football this season. Lammens, Mike Penders, Maarten Vandevoordt and Jari De Busser are competing for the goalkeeper’s position, although Lammens is expected to retain his place.

Youri Tielemans will captain the side and play alongside De Bruyne. De Ketelaere and AC Milan winger Diego Moreira are among the other Belgium players based in Italy. Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia is available again after suspension but could replace Nicolas Raskin.

With Romelu Lukaku short of match fitness and Hugo Cuypers having made his Belgium debut at the age of 29, De Ketelaere is expected to lead the attack.

Italy are likely to start Inter forward Pio Esposito, who has scored nine goals in his first 14 senior appearances. Frattesi, who recently scored his 10th goal for the national team, should also start.

Mancini is without the injured Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Giacomo Raspadori and Moise Kean, while Nicolo Zaniolo is absent for personal reasons. Mattia Liberali, Alphadjo Cisse, Marco Palestra and Michael Kayode provide younger options, and Donnarumma remains Italy’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper.

Belgium Nations League form: VDVDV

Italy Nations League form: DVNVV

Senegal will aim to strengthen their position in the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying campaign when they visit Sudan on Monday, 16 November 2026.

The Lions of Teranga won the first meeting 4-1 in Dakar and go into the fourth-round fixture with the confidence that comes from that emphatic result. Sudan, known as the Crocodiles of the Nile, will need a more disciplined and cohesive performance if they are to contain Senegal’s attacking threat and claim a positive result.

Sudan

Sudan manager James Kwesi Appiah has largely selected players from the domestic league, with Al Hilal and Al Merrikh providing a significant number of the squad’s representatives.

The probable Sudan starting XI is:

Goalkeeper: Mohamed Al-Mustapha

Defenders: Djobak, Abderrahmen Koko, Kerchoum, Tabanja

Midfielders: Abou Akla, Salah Adel, Oualieddine

Forwards: Abderraouf, Aljazouli Nouh, Mohamed Eisa

Senegal

Patrick Vieira can call on experienced players including captain Kalidou Koulibaly, Moussa Niakhate, Lamine Camara and Nicolas Jackson.

However, Senegal will be without Sadio Mane and Idrissa Gana Gueye, who were not selected for this international window. Several other players are also unavailable because of medical issues.

Vieira has received additional options through the call-ups of Pathe Mboup, Pape Demba Diop, Clayton Diandy and Paul Mendy, particularly in the attacking areas.

The probable Senegal starting XI is:

Goalkeeper: Yehvann Diouf

Defenders: Sadibou Sane, Kalidou Koulibaly, Moussa Niakhate, El Hadji Malick Diouf

Midfielders: Dion Lopy, Lamine Camara, Ibrahim Mbaye, Iliman Ndiaye

Forwards: Boulaye Dia, Nicolas Jackson

Senegal’s squad includes several players who featured in the convincing victory in the reverse fixture, while Sudan will be seeking a response after conceding four goals in Dakar.

The match is the fourth meeting in the qualification schedule for the Africa Cup of Nations 2027. Senegal are regarded as clear favourites by the betting market, with odds of 1.27 for an away win. Sudan are priced at 12.50, while a draw is listed at 5.40.

The fixture will take place on Monday, 16 November 2026, with the two sides meeting again after Senegal’s 4-1 victory in the opening encounter.

Senegal will face Sudan for the second time in four days when the sides meet in the fourth round of CAN 2027 qualifying on Monday, 16 November 2026. The Lions won the first encounter 4-1 and travel into the return fixture as clear favourites.

The match will kick off at 13:00 GMT at Juba Stadium in Juba, South Sudan. It will be broadcast by Canal+ Sport Afrique, RTS (Senegal) and beIN Sports.

Senegal currently top the group with seven points, having scored six goals and conceded two. Their record across their past five matches is three wins, one draw and one defeat, a run which reflects the team’s strong form and attacking quality.

Sudan are third on three points. They have scored three goals and conceded eight, while their last five games have produced one win, two draws and two defeats. The Sudanese side will need to make the most of playing in the region to challenge Senegal.

Senegal hold recent advantage

The Lions have not lost any of their past five meetings with Sudan. Senegal have won three of those matches, with the other two ending in draws.

Their latest meeting, on 12 November 2026, ended in a 4-1 victory for Senegal. The result further underlined their recent dominance in this fixture and gave them a significant advantage ahead of Monday’s game.

Boukary Drame described Senegal as favourites before the match, saying: “The Senegalese are favourites.”

Senegal’s position at the top of the group, their superior recent record and the emphatic first-leg result all point towards another positive outcome for the Lions. Sudan, however, will hope home advantage can help them produce a stronger performance and disrupt Senegal’s momentum.

The pre-match prediction is a 2-1 victory for Senegal.

Odds published by 1xbet place Sudan at 12.50 to win, while a draw is priced at 5.40 and a Senegal victory at 1.27.

Namibia and Cameroon meet at the Botswana National Stadium in Gaborone on neutral ground on matchday four of the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying campaign.

The Indomitable Lions won the teams’ first meeting 2-0, but Namibia have the chance to respond in a Group G contest that could prove important in the battle for qualification.

Namibia coach Collin Benjamin has no fresh injury or suspension concerns, allowing him to select from a full squad as his side attempt to overturn the previous result against the group favourites.

The expected Namibia line-up is:

Goalkeeper: Kamaijanda Ndisiro

Defenders: Charles Kamberipa, Kennedy Eib, Ngero Katua, Riaan Hanamub

Midfielders: Absalom Iimbondi, Apercius Petrus, Moses Shidolo, Deon Hotto

Forwards: Peter Shalulile, Prins Tjiueza

Cameroon, however, will be without several important players for the return fixture.

Carlos Baleba is absent after suffering a hamstring injury, while Christian Kofane is also injured. Mahamadou Nagidapurgera will miss the match through suspension.

Danny Namaso, Georges-Kevin N’Koudou and Darlin Yongwa are also confirmed as unavailable, leaving the Indomitable Lions with a depleted squad as they look to build on their 2-0 victory in the opening encounter.

The expected Cameroon line-up is:

Goalkeeper: Simon Ngapandouetnbu

Defenders: Junior Tchamadeu, Samuel Kotto, Kevin Keben, Lilian Njoh

Midfielders: Arthur Avom, David Nyengue, Ivan Jordan Nana

Forwards: Bryan Mbeumo, Bil Nsongo, Saidou Alioum

The match is the fourth fixture in the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers, with Cameroon aiming to strengthen their position in Group G and Namibia seeking a result to revive their challenge.

Betting odds listed for the game make Cameroon clear favourites. Namibia are priced at 11.00 to win, while a draw is listed at 4.20. Cameroon’s victory is priced at 1.30.

A separate match price of 1.76 is also referenced in the pre-match forecast for the qualifying encounter.

Morocco’s 5-1 victory over Niger in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers showcased the team’s attacking quality, but former coach Fouad Sahabi says Mohamed Ouahbi’s side still has defensive weaknesses to address.

Sahabi, who has managed clubs including Wydad de Casablanca and Kawkab de Marrakech, identified three players who impressed him and three whose performances fell short of expectations. His assessment relates only to the match against Niger and is not a definitive judgement on the players’ overall ability.

Hakimi leads Morocco’s standout performers

Achraf Hakimi topped Sahabi’s list after another influential display for the national team captain. The Paris Saint-Germain defender contributed to Morocco’s build-up, changed the tempo of the game and repeatedly supported attacks in the final third.

Hakimi’s first goal, a powerful effort from outside the area, demonstrated his ability to create a solution on his own. He later struck again at an important moment, giving Morocco a comfortable advantage before half-time. His confidence was also evident in a direct corner attempt that narrowly failed to become a goal.

Yassine Bounou was another key figure. The Al-Hilal goalkeeper’s most important contribution came in the 42nd minute, when he saved a penalty that would have brought Niger level at 2-2.

Sahabi believes Bounou’s importance goes beyond the number of saves he makes, with his experience, concentration and ability to perform under pressure particularly valuable in decisive moments. The match was also Bounou’s 100th appearance for Morocco.

Noussair Mazraoui completed Sahabi’s three leading performers. The Manchester United defender provided balance on the flank, helped Morocco move the ball out from defence and remained composed when pressed. Although he did not have the same attacking influence as Hakimi, Sahabi praised his management of space, defensive support and overall tactical discipline.

Defensive concerns remain

Issa Diop was judged to have delivered less than expected. Sahabi felt the defender should have dealt more effectively with the movement of Niger’s forwards and offered greater security to the back line.

Although Niger created relatively few chances, the goal conceded and the penalty showed, in Sahabi’s view, that Morocco must improve its defensive organisation and avoid lapses in concentration. His criticism was not intended to question Diop’s ability, but to underline the need for a stronger contribution in future matches.

Oussama Targhalline also failed to convince. With Morocco enjoying extended spells of possession, Sahabi expected the midfielder to link the lines more effectively, move the ball faster and turn the team’s control into clearer opportunities.

The coach said possession alone was not enough, particularly against teams defending in a compact block. Targhalline must have a greater influence in attack-building and provide more options in midfield.

Nayef Aguerd was Sahabi’s third disappointment. The defender made no obvious individual error directly responsible for a goal, but his overall influence was limited. Sahabi stressed that Morocco’s defence must remain fully concentrated even when the team is dominant.

“The attacking department is promising, but the defence still needs a lot of work,” Sahabi said.

Bounou’s penalty save prevented Niger from making it 2-2, before Hakimi scored Morocco’s third goal in first-half stoppage time. Sahabi believes the incident underlined the need for better positioning, coordination and defensive transition work.

Morocco will soon face Niger again in their fourth match of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

Cameroon travel to face Namibia on Monday, 16 November 2026, with the Indomitable Lions looking to build on their 2-0 victory in the first meeting between the sides four days earlier.

The Group G Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifier will be played at the Botswana National Stadium in Gaborone, on neutral ground. Kick-off is scheduled for 13:00 GMT.

The match will be shown on beIN Sports, Canal+ Afrique, SuperSport and SABC Sport.

Cameroon lead Group G with seven points and have lost only once in their past five matches, winning four and drawing one. Their recent run includes victories over Comoros, who they beat 3-1, and Namibia in the first leg.

The Indomitable Lions have also recorded friendly wins against Cote d'Ivoire, by a 1-0 scoreline, and China, whom they defeated 2-0. That sequence has given Cameroon a strong platform in the qualifying group, although a number of absences have forced the coaching staff to reconsider their plans.

Namibia, by contrast, have suffered three successive defeats in all competitions. The Brave Warriors have collected three points from their first three Group G matches, with their only victory coming in a narrow 1-0 win over Congo in their opening game.

The fixture will be the seventh meeting between the countries. Cameroon have won three of the previous six encounters, while two have ended in draws and Namibia have recorded one victory.

The most recent matches have been:

- 12 November 2026: Cameroon 2-0 Namibia, Africa Cup of Nations qualifying

- 13 November 2024: Namibia 0-0 Cameroon, Africa Cup of Nations qualifying

- 7 September 2024: Cameroon 1-0 Namibia, Africa Cup of Nations qualifying

- 28 March 2023: Namibia 2-1 Cameroon, Africa Cup of Nations qualifying

- 24 March 2023: Cameroon 1-1 Namibia, Africa Cup of Nations qualifying

Cameroon’s defensive record and recent form make them favourites despite the injury and selection problems within their squad. Namibia will also have no genuine home advantage in Gaborone and have struggled to create confidence in attack.

Africafoot’s prediction is a 2-1 victory for Cameroon.

The listed betting prices are 11.00 for a Namibia win, 4.20 for a draw and 1.30 for Cameroon to win.

France host Turkey on Sunday, 15 November 2026, knowing a victory at the Stade Atlantique Bordeaux Metropole would secure their place in the quarter-finals of the Nations League. The visitors, meanwhile, must produce an unexpected away result to avoid automatic relegation to League B.

Kick-off in Bordeaux is scheduled for 19:45 GMT. In France, the match will be shown by La Chaine L’Equipe, TF1 and M6. Fox Sports and DAZN will broadcast it in the United States and Canada, while New World TV and beIN SPORTS hold the rights in sub-Saharan Africa. Viewers in the Middle East and North Africa can watch on beIN SPORTS and DStv.

France sit second in Group A1 on 10 points after losing 3-1 to Italy on Thursday. That defeat denied Zinedine Zidane’s side the chance to confirm top spot and ended a nine-match unbeaten run in the group stage of the Nations League, consisting of seven wins and two draws.

The hosts nevertheless remain unbeaten in competitive home matches since September 2024. That record gives France a strong platform as they attempt to finish the group stage with a positive result, despite several notable absences in defence. Kylian Mbappe could also return.

Turkey are bottom of the group without a point. Their position was confirmed on Thursday when a 2-1 defeat by Belgium left them certain to finish fourth. Their away form offers little encouragement, with seven defeats in their past eight matches on the road and only one victory during that sequence.

The previous meeting between the teams, in September, ended with France winning 1-0 in Kocaeli. Overall, France have won five of the seven matches between the nations in all competitions, with one draw and one defeat. Turkey did, however, draw 1-1 on their last visit to France.

Their recent meetings include France’s 1-0 victory in the Nations League on 25 September 2026; the 1-1 draw in Euro qualifying on 14 October 2019; Turkey’s 2-0 win in Euro qualifying on 8 June 2019; France’s 1-0 friendly victory on 5 June 2009; and a 3-2 France win in the Confederations Cup on 26 June 2003.

Africafoot’s prediction is a 3-1 victory for France. The publication considers the home side favourites, citing their record in France and Turkey’s defensive vulnerability, while also pointing to the possible return of Mbappe.

The listed betting odds from 1xbet are 1.22 for a France win, 7.50 for a draw and 11.00 for a Turkey victory.

Portugal’s Football Federation will keep room 201 at Cidade do Futebol in Oeiras unoccupied as a tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo, who used it during national-team camps.

The decision honours the former captain, who announced his international retirement on 5 November 2026 after 23 years representing Portugal.

Ricardo Quaresma, presented as a spokesperson for the Portuguese Football Federation, confirmed the move.

“We decided to keep Cristiano Ronaldo’s room, number 201,” he said.

The federation intends to preserve the room as a lasting symbol of Ronaldo’s time with the national team.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner leaves international football with 234 caps and 146 goals for Portugal. He also helped the country win Euro 2016 and two editions of the Nations League, in 2019 and 2025.

Further tributes are planned for Saturday, 14 November, when Portugal face Denmark in the Nations League.

Portugal’s players are expected to walk on to the pitch wearing the number seven, the shirt number closely associated with Ronaldo and a defining feature of his international career.

Algeria manager Brahim Hemdani has been left with selection problems after six players withdrew from his squad before the team’s two CAN 2027 qualifying fixtures against Togo.

The changes are particularly significant in defence, where the coach may have to improvise in several positions. Algeria are due to play Togo on the third and fourth matchdays, with the first fixture taking place in Tizi-Ouzou on Saturday.

In goal, Luca Zidane is not favoured by Hemdani, leaving Melvin Mastil in line to start ahead of Oussama Benbot and Rayane Yesli. Mastil produced only average performances during the previous international break, while Yesli was called up after Abdelatif Ramdane withdrew.

The full-back positions present the biggest difficulty. Rafik Belghali is unavailable on the right, while Jaouen Hadjam has withdrawn on the left. Rayan Ait-Nouri, who had lost his place in the team, is also absent.

There are several possible replacements on both flanks, although none has established himself as the obvious choice. Mohamed Azzi of CSKA Moscow has received his first call-up. Sohaib Nair played at right-back in the friendly against Niger but neither impressed nor disappointed. Achraf Abada is generally more effective in central defence, while Saadi Radouani started twice last month and struggled.

Radouani, who won the CAF Super Cup with USMA, was recalled at the last minute following Belghali’s withdrawal. Azzi and Abada have both played on the left, although only occasionally.

Ramy Bensebaini is another option on that side, but the Borussia Dortmund defender may no longer have the physical capacity to operate regularly as a left-back. He is expected to remain in central defence, potentially alongside Zinedine Belaid, Abada or Nair. Samir Chergui is missing from this squad because of injury.

Ahmed Touba could provide another solution after previously filling the left-back role for Algeria, although he now plays mainly in central defence. The only specialist left-back in Hemdani’s revised squad is Fahem Benaissa-Yahia of Mantova in Serie B, who was selected for the first time after Hadjam withdrew.

Another debutant, Abderrahmane Rebbach, sometimes plays as a wing-back for his club and could also be considered. Radouani and Azzi have experience on the left, but only rarely.

Hemdani has more choices in midfield despite the absence of Hicham Boudaoui. A three-man unit could feature Nabil Bentaleb and Fares Chaibi as a double pivot, with Ibrahim Maza operating further forward. Himad Abdelli, Yacine Titraoui and Adem Zorgane are also competing for places.

The attack has been weakened by the withdrawals of Bachir Belloumi, currently in strong form, and Amin Chiakha. However, every position remains covered. Anis Hadj Moussa is ahead of Fares Ghedjemis on the right, Amine Gouiri is backed up by Monsef Bakrar centrally, and Mohamed Amoura and Adil Boulbina are options on the left. Rebbach offers further versatility, while Amoura could also fill in through the middle despite not being a natural centre-forward.

France must avoid defeat by Turkey on Sunday to guarantee a place in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals, with their final Group A1 fixture set to determine whether they progress.

Zinedine Zidane’s side are second in the section on 10 points, level with leaders Italy, who hold top spot because of their superior head-to-head record against France. Belgium are third on nine points, meaning the French team could still miss out on the last-eight places.

France’s position follows a 3-1 defeat by Italy in their previous match. Turkey also lost last time out, going down 2-1 at home to Belgium.

France will finish top if they beat Turkey and Italy fail to defeat Belgium. They will be certain of reaching the quarter-finals if they avoid defeat on Sunday, or if Belgium do not beat Italy.

The teams have met seven times, with France winning five of those matches. Turkey’s only victory came in a European Championship qualifier in June 2019.

France won the most recent meeting 1-0 at the end of September, with Kylian Mbappe scoring the only goal.

Turkey have already been confirmed in fourth place after losing all five of their group matches. Their campaign began with the defeat by France and continued with two losses against Italy and two against Belgium.

The Ay-Y?ld?zl?lar have scored only three goals and conceded 13, leaving them on zero points and facing the threat of relegation to League B. They have lost seven of their past eight matches in all competitions.

Despite their difficult campaign, Sergen Yalc?n’s side can still influence the final outcome of the group. The Turkey manager will be looking for a positive finish against a France side with several players unavailable.

Mbappe missed the defeat by Italy because of a muscle problem but could return at the weekend. William Saliba, Aurelien Tchouameni and Ousmane Dembele remain notable injury absentees, while Dayot Upamecano has left the France squad for personal reasons.

Zidane may make changes to his starting XI, with Real Madrid defenders Ibrahima Konate and Eduardo Camavinga both possible starters.

Turkey welcome back Abdulkerim Bardakc? after he served a suspension against Belgium. Kenan Y?ld?z is injured, while Arda Guler was his team’s standout performer in Thursday’s defeat and will again be expected to provide creativity.

Enes Unal is also expected to start in attack. He has scored three goals for Turkey.

France’s Nations League form is VVNVD, while their record in all competitions is DVVNVD. Turkey’s form in both the Nations League and all competitions is DDDDD.

A France team missing several key players could face a difficult test, but Mbappe’s expected return would strengthen Zidane’s hopes of securing the three points required for qualification.

Ayoub Oufkir scored on his Morocco debut as the AZ Alkmaar winger made an immediate impact in the 5-1 victory over Niger on Friday.

The 20-year-old was introduced from the bench and needed only 15 minutes to make his mark. He displayed his pace, directness and confidence, recording five shots – three of them on target – before finding the net.

The performance gave fresh weight to his inclusion in Mohamed Ouahbi’s squad, which had prompted debate when it was announced on 4 November.

Oufkir had been viewed by some Morocco supporters as a player selected to secure his international future rather than solely on sporting merit. Born in Rotterdam, he came through the Netherlands’ youth teams and helped the Oranje win the 2025 U19 European Championship.

He had, however, chosen to represent Morocco after speaking with Ouahbi. Oufkir said he experienced “something wonderful” during that conversation.

His decision disappointed Xavi, the Netherlands manager, who acknowledged that his side had made every effort to persuade the winger to choose them.

Oufkir’s lack of a guaranteed starting place at AZ Alkmaar had added to the questions surrounding his call-up. But after Morocco’s victory, Ouahbi offered a firm defence of the player and made clear that his selection had not been motivated by a desire to prevent him from joining the Netherlands.

“Oufkir is a player I have followed for a very, very long time,” Ouahbi said. “Since I was with the U20s, so I know him very, very well. I already wanted him at that time, so we did not give up.”

The Morocco manager also explained the qualities that had persuaded him to select the winger.

“He is a good player, I think you saw that today,” Ouahbi added. “He brings verticality, he is very electric, energetic and technically good.”

Ouahbi then directly addressed the suggestion that Oufkir had been called up simply to secure his international allegiance.

“Above all, he showed today that he is with us because he deserved it, not to block him or try to make sure he played for Morocco,” he said. “He deserves it because of his play and his profile.”

The goal and lively cameo provided an early on-field justification for the faith shown in Oufkir by his manager. It also temporarily eased the doubts that had surrounded the winger’s selection before the match against Niger.

France will host Turkey at the stade Atlantique de Bordeaux on Sunday 15 November in the final match of their Nations League group campaign, with both sides facing significant consequences.

The hosts can secure their place in the next stage of the competition in front of their own supporters, while Turkey are fighting to retain their position in the elite tier.

France manager Zinedine Zidane must deal with a lengthy injury list. Dayot Upamecano was ruled out after Thursday’s match, joining Ousmane Dembele, William Saliba, Aurelien Tchouameni, Jules Kounde and Pierre Kalulu among those unavailable.

Desire Doue remains a doubt after suffering a dental injury against Italy. Marcus Thuram is also uncertain, while France will hope Kylian Mbappe is available after he was rested for the away trip to Milan.

France’s probable line-up

Goalkeeper: Mike Maignan

Defenders: Sael Kumbedi, Ibrahima Konate, Jeremy Jacquet, Andy Diouf

Midfielders: Warren Zaire-Emery, Eduardo Camavinga, Adrien Rabiot

Forwards: Michael Olise, Kylian Mbappe, Bradley Barcola

Turkey have fewer injury concerns ahead of the concluding Group A1 fixture, although they will be without Ozan Kabak.

The defender is suspended after collecting enough yellow cards to trigger a ban for the final match of the group stage.

Turkey’s probable line-up

Goalkeeper: Ugurcan Cak?r

Defenders: Zeki Celik, Merih Demiral, Abdulkerim Bardakc?, Ferdi Kad?oglu

Midfielders: Arda Guler, Salih Ozcan, Hakan Calhanoglu

Forwards: Yunus Akgun, Enes Unal, Bar?s Alper Y?lmaz

France’s meeting with Turkey is the sixth and final match of the Nations League group stage. The result will determine whether the French side progresses, while Turkey’s position in the top tier is at stake.

AC Milan have rejected two significant Premier League bids for Alphadjo Cisse and value the 20-year-old between €50m and €60m.

Aston Villa, Newcastle, Arsenal and Brighton are all monitoring the attacking midfielder, according to the latest reports from Ekrem Konur. Scouts from the four English clubs have been watching Cisse closely for several weeks following his impressive start to life at San Siro.

Cisse joined AC Milan from Hellas Verona in February 2026, with the Rossoneri paying €8.4m for his signature. After completing the deal, Milan's new manager Ruben Amorim decided to promote him to the first-team squad the following summer.

That decision has quickly been rewarded, with Cisse scoring eight goals in 13 appearances.

The interest from England remains at the scouting stage for now, but intermediaries are working to keep the player's situation active and are preparing potential direct discussions with his representatives.

Milan, however, are under no pressure to sell. Cisse's contract runs until June 2030 and the club have already turned down two substantial offers from Premier League sides at the beginning of November.

His current valuation on Transfermarkt is €20m, but AC Milan's hierarchy have placed a considerably higher figure on the forward. Any club hoping to sign him will need to make an offer close to the €50m-€60m range to persuade the Italian club to negotiate.

Cisse is understood to be receptive to the possibility of moving to the English top flight. He would agree to a transfer if an arrangement could first be reached between the interested clubs and AC Milan.

No agreement is currently in place, meaning the Premier League contenders must decide whether to meet Milan's demands before the situation develops further.

Cisse has Guinean origins and has emerged as one of the latest young talents to attract attention at the Italian club. His performances have helped generate interest despite the absence of a formal offer that has satisfied AC Milan.

The Rossoneri are next due to face Frosinone in their 12th league match of the season.

Cameroon return to face Namibia on Monday, 16 November 2026 at 13:00 GMT, four days after beating the Brave Warriors 2-0 in Douala in the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers. Arthur Wandji, a Cameroonian sports betting expert and journalist, expects the Indomitable Lions to maintain their advantage, although Namibia are backed to pose more of a threat in the second meeting.

Namibia have struggled in front of goal, scoring once and conceding nine times across their past five matches. They began qualifying with a 1-0 win against Congo, then lost 1-0 to Comoros, suffered a 6-0 friendly defeat by Russia and were beaten 2-0 by Cameroon on 12 November.

Captain Peter Shalulile, Betuel Muzeu and Deon Hotto are expected to provide greater attacking options for the second match. Petrus Shitembi is ruled out through injury, while Absalom Limbondi returns to the squad after last playing for Namibia in 2024.

Cameroon are unbeaten in five games, recording four victories and a draw while scoring nine goals and conceding two. Their recent results include wins over Comoros (3-1), Cote d'Ivoire (1-0) and Namibia (2-0), alongside a 1-1 draw with Congo. The victory against Cote d'Ivoire in a friendly also underlined their ability to beat strong opponents.

David Pagou will be without Carlos Baleba, who has a hamstring injury, while Christian Kofane is unavailable for this international window. Ryan Fosso has replaced Baleba in the squad. Enzo Ebosse is back, with Bryan Mbeumo, Danny Namaso, Saidou Alioum and Bil Nsongo among the other attacking options. Saidou Alioum and Bil Nsongo scored Cameroon’s goals in the first game.

The return fixture will be played in Gaborone, Botswana, on neutral ground. Namibia won 2-1 against Cameroon in March 2023 after the first meeting ended 1-1. The sides drew 0-0 in Namibia in 2024, before Cameroon won the other encounter that year 1-0. Cameroon’s latest 2-0 success, secured by Saidou Alioum and Bil Nsongo, puts them ahead in the recent rivalry. Across the last five meetings, Cameroon have two wins, Namibia one and there have been two draws.

Namibia’s recent form is D/D/D/V/V, compared with Cameroon’s V/V/N/V/V. Cameroon scored twice in the first half of the first leg and won the corner count 7-0. Namibia had 35% possession and eight shots, compared with Cameroon’s 15.

The main betting prices are 1.29 for a Cameroon win, 1.65 for Cameroon to score more than 1.5 goals, 2.12 for more than 2.5 goals, 1.76 for Namibia to record fewer than three corners and 2.72 for both teams to score.

Wandji’s exact-score combination of 1-2, 1-3 or 1-4 is priced at 4.50. His other selections are Namibia to have fewer than three corners at 1.76 and Cameroon to win with more than 1.5 total goals at 1.68. The preview also refers to the fixture as 16 November 2027 in its betting section. Odds can change.

Bayer Leverkusen have submitted a written contract offer to Ibrahim Maza that would keep the Algeria international at the club until June 2031, according to Florian Plettenberg.

The 20-year-old attacking midfielder has attracted interest from clubs across Europe after making a strong impression for the German side. However, Leverkusen are now close to securing his long-term future, with the remaining formalities expected to be completed before the winter transfer window.

Under the proposed agreement, Maza’s basic annual salary would rise from 2.5m euros to 4m euros, Bild reports. He would also receive an additional 4m euros in bonuses spread across the length of the contract.

Those terms would allow the Berlin-born player to earn close to 5m euros per season. The new deal would not include a release clause, enabling Bayer Leverkusen to retain full control over one of their most highly valued young players.

Maza’s progress has also been accompanied by interest from Paris St-Germain. However, that possibility has now ended after discussions which Luis Campos considered inappropriate. The French club subsequently stopped its approach to the player’s representatives.

Leverkusen’s proposed renewal therefore represents a significant step towards keeping Maza in Germany, where he has enhanced his reputation through his performances for the club. His current market value is listed at 50m euros by Transfermarkt.

The German side are next scheduled to face Paderborn in the 10th round of the German championship. By the time that fixture takes place, the club’s directors could be close to finalising the agreement which would extend Maza’s stay until 2031.

The offer would mark a considerable improvement on his existing financial terms and underline Bayer Leverkusen’s determination to protect the value of a player who has become the subject of growing European interest.

Maza’s proposed contract also removes the possibility of a fixed-fee departure, meaning any future transfer would have to be negotiated directly with Bayer Leverkusen. For now, all indications point towards the midfielder remaining with the German club beyond the current arrangement, with the final administrative steps expected ahead of the winter market.

Burkina Faso must produce a far stronger performance in Tuesday’s return match against Mauritania if they are to continue their progress towards the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, according to journalist and football consultant Adama Salambere.

The Etalons secured a narrow 1-0 victory in the first meeting in Ouagadougou on Friday 13 November, with Elohim Kabore scoring in the closing stages. They now travel to Nouakchott for a match Salambere expects to be considerably more demanding.

Mauritania will be backed by their home supporters and are likely to be determined to respond after the defeat. With every point valuable in Group F’s qualification race, the pressure will be intense on both sides.

“I expect a much more difficult match in Mauritania. We will be on their territory and they will do everything they can to get a result,” said Salambere, a sports journalist with the Agence d’information du Burkina (AIB) and a football consultant.

He pointed to the previous meeting between the teams in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign as a warning for Burkina Faso. Mauritania proved to be a significant obstacle for the Etalons during those qualifiers, and Salambere believes that experience means the Mourabitounes must not be underestimated.

Concerns also extend to the playing surface at the stadium in Nouakchott. Salambere questioned whether the pitch would provide suitable conditions for the fixture and said it would need to meet the standards expected of an international competition.

However, he regarded Burkina Faso’s performance in the opening match as the main reason for caution. While the result gave them an important advantage, he said it had also exposed shortcomings in their play which could not be overlooked.

“The team will need to redouble its efforts and rediscover the style of play associated with the Etalons in order to get a result in Mauritania,” he added.

Salambere believes Amir Abdou’s side will need to show greater collective control, cohesion and commitment in the second encounter. Those qualities, he said, will be essential if Burkina Faso are to withstand the pressure from Mauritania and return with a positive result.

The win in Ouagadougou represented a significant step for the Etalons in the qualifying campaign. But the trip to Nouakchott will provide a much sterner examination, with Burkina Faso needing to demonstrate considerably more than they did in the first meeting to maintain their momentum towards the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Senegal’s return to Stade Leopold Sedar Senghor was overshadowed by serious access problems for supporters, despite the Lions’ 4-1 victory over Sudan and their strong position in the race for CAN 2027 qualification.

Fans with valid tickets reportedly spent hours waiting outside the stadium, while others were unable to reach their seats because those places were already occupied. The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) issued a statement on Friday, 13 November, acknowledging the problems and setting out corrective measures.

The federation said 41,994 tickets had been sold from the 43,569 issued for the match, representing 96% of the stadium’s capacity. It added that ticket sales generated 258,873,000 CFA francs.

The FSF said the fixture was the first time Senegal had used a fully digital ticketing system, with the process entrusted to Orange Senegal. The figures were published in response to allegations from some supporters that more tickets had been sold than there were available places.

The federation defended the move, saying it was intended to improve the “security of transactions and control of the distribution circuit while reducing as much as possible speculative practices around national team matches”.

However, it accepted that the system had not worked smoothly on matchday.

“This popular success must not, however, conceal the malfunctions observed,” the FSF said, adding: “We offer our sincere apologies to supporters who experienced difficulties accessing Stade Leopold Sedar Senghor.”

Several supporters also described confusing scenes on social media. Some said they had been refused entry despite holding tickets, while others claimed to have found their allocated seats occupied.

Orange Senegal was asked whether more tickets had been sold than the stadium could accommodate. Its response was unequivocal: “We did not sell more tickets. Access to the stadium is managed by the relevant authorities.”

The figures released by the FSF do not indicate an oversale, with the number of tickets sold remaining below the number issued. They do not, however, explain all the problems reported at the entrances and inside the stands.

Digital ticketing can help reduce illegal resale and make the sales process more transparent. Its success also depends on the quality of the entry arrangements, ticket checks and the number of staff available to manage supporters.

The difficulties at this match highlighted the need for better planning before future fixtures. The FSF and its partners will need to improve the organisation of entry checks, supporter movements and staffing levels.

The system is intended to make access to the stadium easier, not turn arrival at a match into an ordeal.