The road to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations began this week, with Senegal embarking on their qualifying campaign under the shadow of a major off-field dispute. Under new head coach Patrick Vieira, the Lions of Teranga started their Group J campaign with a trip to face Mozambique in Maputo on Friday, September 23, a fixture switched from Dakar due to the Youth Olympic Games.

The Disputed Title

This new qualifying phase opens as a significant legal cloud hangs over the team. Senegal were stripped of their 2026 Africa Cup of Nations title, won against Morocco on January 18, after a 14-minute player protest walk-off. The Confederation of African Football subsequently awarded the trophy to Morocco. "Senegal have appealed against the Confederation of African Football's decision." The Court of Arbitration for Sport will hear the appeal on October 8, leaving the official honours of the 2026 edition unresolved.

The Vieira Era Begins

Sportingly, a new chapter has begun with the appointment of Patrick Vieira, who took over following a disappointing 2026 World Cup. The French coach immediately stamped his authority by overseeing a significant squad refresh for these opening matches. Key pillars like Sadio Mané were among several previously vital players omitted from this initial list. This new direction comes amid a challenging period, with Senegal currently sitting 3rd in their World Cup group on 3 points. The qualifying schedule is packed, with a key away trip to Ethiopia next on September 29.

A Three-Host Tournament

The 2027 AFCON, scheduled from June 19 to July 17, will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. This unique format directly impacts qualifying: in groups containing a co-host, only one other team will advance to the finals. Forty-eight nations are split into twelve groups, with the top two from nine of them qualifying directly. The process will run across six matchdays until March 2027. Among other contenders, Morocco, the designated current champions, began their Group A campaign at home to Gabon. Tunisia, under a new coach, aims to extend its record run of consecutive AFCON appearances to eighteen.

For Patrick Vieira and his squad, the task is twofold: to build a competitive team for the future while handling the legal uncertainty of the recent past. The makeup of the squad and performances in these opening games will lay the foundation for this new era. The next step, away to Ethiopia, provides an immediate and significant test on the road to Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Read the full report at reuters.com