The race to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will intensify this week as African teams return to action for Matchdays 3 and 4 of the qualifying campaign.

Several top teams, including Nigeria, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and defending champions Côte d’Ivoire, will be involved in important matches as they seek to strengthen their chances of reaching the tournament.

One of the biggest fixtures will see Côte d’Ivoire face Gambia in Group C. Both teams have won their opening two matches and will meet twice during the international break.

The Elephants will host Gambia in Bouaké on Thursday before travelling to Bakau for the return fixture on November 17.

Ghana will also face Somalia twice in the same group. The Black Stars need positive results to improve their chances of qualifying for the tournament.

In Group K, Mali and Rwanda will battle for top position after both teams won their opening two matches. They will meet in Bamako before playing the return fixture in Kigali.

Cabo Verde, who made their first appearance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, will face Liberia twice as they seek to strengthen their position in the group.

In Group J, Senegal will take on Sudan in two important matches. Senegal have four points from their opening two games, while Sudan are just one point behind.

Mozambique, who also have four points, will face Ethiopia home and away.

Morocco will aim to maintain their perfect start to the qualifiers when they face Niger twice in Group A on November 13 and 17.

In Group B, Egypt will meet Malawi as the seven-time African champions begin a new chapter under their recently appointed coach, Ali Maher.

Angola will also face South Sudan twice in the group.

South Africa will battle Kenya in Group D. Bafana Bafana have won their first two matches and will hope to continue their impressive start against the co-hosts.

Kenya are coached by former South Africa international striker Benni McCarthy.

DR Congo will also look to maintain their perfect record when they face Sierra Leone twice in Group E.

Other important fixtures will see Cameroon take on Namibia, Tunisia face Libya and Algeria meet Togo.

Nigeria will face co-hosts Tanzania in a double-header in Group L as the Super Eagles seek to improve their chances of qualifying.

The Super Eagles have three points from their opening two matches, three behind group leaders Guinea-Bissau, who will face Madagascar twice.

Although Tanzania have already qualified automatically as one of the host nations, Nigeria must finish above the other competing teams in the group to secure a place at the tournament.

Group F is also closely contested, with Benin and Burkina Faso level at the top. Both teams will face the Central African Republic and Mauritania respectively.

Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda have already secured automatic qualification because they will jointly host the 2027 tournament.

In groups containing any of the host nations, only the highest-placed team among the remaining countries will qualify. In other groups, the top two teams will advance to the tournament.

The final two rounds of the qualifiers will take place in March 2027, when the remaining teams will secure their places at the competition.

The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, officially known as AFCON PAMOJA 2027, will be held in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, 2027.

It will be the first time three countries jointly host the African football tournament.

AFCON 2027 QUALIFIERS: MATCHDAY 3 FIXTURES

Thursday, November 12

Ghana v Somalia – 3pm

Côte d’Ivoire v Gambia – 7pm

Guinea v Eritrea – 4pm

DR Congo v Sierra Leone – 4pm

Equatorial Guinea v Zimbabwe – 4pm

Benin v Central African Republic – 7pm

Cameroon v Namibia – 7pm

Senegal v Sudan – 7pm

Madagascar v Guinea-Bissau – 4pm

Friday, November 13

Gabon v Lesotho – 4pm

Morocco v Niger – 8pm

Egypt v Malawi – 7pm

South Africa v Kenya – 4pm

Burkina Faso v Mauritania – 4pm

Comoros v Congo – 1pm

Tunisia v Libya – 4pm

Zambia v Burundi – 1pm

Mozambique v Ethiopia – 1pm

Cabo Verde v Liberia – 4pm

Mali v Rwanda – 7pm

Saturday, November 14

Angola v South Sudan – 7pm

Uganda v Botswana – 4pm

Algeria v Togo – 7pm

Nigeria v Tanzania – 4pm

AFCON 2027 QUALIFIERS: MATCHDAY 4 FIXTURES

Monday, November 16

Somalia v Ghana – 3pm

Eritrea v Guinea – 4pm

Zimbabwe v Equatorial Guinea – 1pm

Central African Republic v Benin – 4pm

Namibia v Cameroon – 1pm

Sudan v Senegal – 1pm

Ethiopia v Mozambique – 1pm

Tuesday, November 17

Lesotho v Gabon – 1pm

Niger v Morocco – 8pm

Malawi v Egypt – 1pm

South Sudan v Angola – 1pm

Gambia v Côte d’Ivoire – 4pm

Kenya v South Africa – 4pm

Sierra Leone v DR Congo – 4pm

Mauritania v Burkina Faso – 7pm

Congo v Comoros – 7pm

Libya v Tunisia – 4pm

Botswana v Uganda – 7pm

Burundi v Zambia – 1pm

Togo v Algeria – 4pm

Rwanda v Mali – 7pm

Liberia v Cabo Verde – 7pm

Tanzania v Nigeria – 1pm

Guinea-Bissau v Madagascar – 4pm