🇸🇳SenegalWest Africa
CAF releases official schedule for AFCON 2027 qualifiers
via SeneNews2 min read
The Confederation of African Football CAF has released the official schedule for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON qualifiers, with the final tournament set to take place in East Africa. The preliminary round, involving 12 lower-ranked nations, was played in March 2026 to determine the final teams for the group stage. The main qualification phase will involve 48 nations divided into twelve groups of four teams. The first two matchdays are scheduled for September 21 to October 6, 2026, followed by matchdays three and four from November 9 to 17, 2026. The decisive final two matchdays will be held from March 22 to 30, 2027. Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda are automatically qualified as co-hosts for the final tournament, which will run from June 19 to July 18, 2027. This marks the first time these three East African nations will co-host the competition.
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Pape Abdoulaye Seck, son of former Prime Minister Idrissa Seck, has been taken into custody in connection with alleged fraud and invasion of privacy. The complaint was filed by Dame Amar, son of the late businessman Ameth Amar. Dame Amar accuses Pape Abdoulaye Seck of fraudulently using his bank card during a trip to France. The financial damage is estimated at over 15,000 euros, allegedly withdrawn from Dame Amar's bank account. The plaintiff also claims that Pape Abdoulaye Seck engaged in alleged blackmail and invasion of privacy, stating he was filmed without his knowledge during an evening in France while in minimal attire with several people. These images were reportedly used for pressure or threats. Pape Abdoulaye Seck remains in custody and is expected to be presented to the public prosecutor soon. The investigation is ongoing.
Must ReadAnalyst Thomas Dietrich offers a geopolitical interpretation of recent attacks in Mali, suggesting they aim to fracture the military and facilitate a regime change. Dietrich states that the JNIM and FLA understand they cannot control Bamako due to public opposition. Instead, the strategy is to provoke a split within the military, leading to a coup. This would install an officer who would then negotiate with the JNIM and FLA, ceding the northern part of the country to them. Dietrich claims this plan aligns with the desires of many French officials who wish to replace Assimi Goïta with a more favorable president, despite Goïta's current proximity to Turkey rather than Russia, with Turkish paramilitaries reportedly by his side. He adds that French military circles would grant the long-promised independence to Tuareg separatists and the FLA. Furthermore, Dietrich suggests this plan aims to undermine the AES Alliance of Sahel States and retaliate against Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali for their perceived affronts to France. He also indicates that Algeria and the Mauritanian regime, whose president Mohamed Ould el Ghazouani recently visited Emmanuel Macron, might support this plan. Dietrich references his previous revelations about France's more aggressive stance since the December 7 coup attempt in Benin, aiming to reclaim "lost territories" in Africa. He concludes that France is again engaging in risky tactics, similar to the early 2010s with independence rebels, which previously
Must ReadTuareg rebels in Mali, allied with jihadist groups, have seized control of the key northern city of Kidal following a series of significant attacks on strategic junta positions. This development has plunged the country into uncertainty regarding the military regime's future. The Malian government faces a critical situation, unprecedented since the 2020 coup, with the Minister of Defense Sadio Camara reportedly killed, and General Assimi Goïta, head of the junta, not seen or heard from since hostilities began on Saturday morning. Mali is grappling with a severe security crisis after attacks launched by jihadists from the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims JNIM, allied with Al-Qaeda and the independentist Tuareg rebellion of the Azawad Liberation Front FLA. Mali, a vast Sahelian country, has been plagued by conflicts and jihadist violence since 2012. Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maiga stated on Monday that the enemy's goal was to seize power by dismantling state institutions. He assured that lessons would be learned to make necessary corrections for better security and urged the population not to panic. Neither the FLA nor the JNIM had claimed to seek power. France expressed its concern over the attacks, condemning violence against civilians and hoping for lasting peace and stability in Mali. Kidal, which was under rebel control for decades, had returned to Malian state control in November 2023, supported by the army and Russian paramilitary group Wagner now Africa Corps. I
Real Madrid has provided an update on Kylian Mbappé's hamstring injury, sustained during a La Liga match against Real Betis last Friday. The French superstar had to leave the field and is expected to be sidelined for several weeks. While hamstring injuries typically require six to eight weeks for recovery, Spanish media suggest a quicker return for Mbappé. His participation in the upcoming World Cup is not at risk. Reports from MARCA indicate that Mbappé is working to be ready for El Clásico against FC Barcelona on May 10.