CAF Champions League begins today

Was expecting a more raucous crowd in Lubumbashi to support TP Mazembe versus MC Algiers, but it is a 14h kick off on a Tuesday afternoon

Mazembe were stripped of top players and look sluggish, MCA looking to impress in their return to the CL which they won in ‘76

Underdogs Sudan and Botswana are in prime position and just have to avoid defeat to qualify, however both teams are respectively travelling to group leaders (Angola and Egypt) for their final matches

Questions may be asked about squads Angola and Egypt will field now that qualification is secured

Benin is in the same situation as they travel to Libya for the sixth and final matchday. The North African would be making a real comeback as they were only sitting on 1 point prior to this international break.

5/24 slots for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will be determined tomorrow and Tuesday:

Mozambique and Guinea just need to avoid defeat against Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania in straight head-to-head matches

Easier said than done, however, as both matches are to be played away from home for the leaders

1st rule of African football: When you read that 8 players have refused a call-up for their national team... bet the house on that team

Today’s three fixtures in 2025 Afcon qualifying

To have any chance of qualifying, Togo need to beat Liberia and then win their last match at home vs Eq.Guinea

Cameroon vs Namibia is a dead rubber

If Sierra Leone can win versus Chad, qualification will go through their last match against Zambia

Burkina Faso and Senegal have already booked their places

Who'll replace long time coach Aliou Cissé in Senegal? Pape Thiaw (current interim, CHAN-winning coach), Omar Daf, Habib Beye?

Burkina Faso have mix of young/experienced talent, but can they overcome domestic issues (federation and gov't)?

Zambia play Cote d'Ivoire and then travel to Monrovia to try and hold on to second place versus Sierra Leone

It's going to be a scrap for that second spot, I think CIV and Sierra Leone pull it off and qualify

This is the story of the qualifiers

Sudan -in the midst of a civil war -have virtually qualified. They're also first in World Cup qualifying ahead of Senegal! Will be writing about them next week for @africasacountry.bsky.social

Angola have continued momentum from last Afcon. They'll both qualify

Egypt are perfect and haven't conceded a goal under Hossam Hassan - they've rested Salah and Abdelmonem for this break

No one was expecting Botswana to be in second place. Their coach Didier Gomes resigned a few weeks ago, however. How will they respond?

EGY+BOT probably, but CPV or MAU can push

Morocco qualified as hosts

Gabon looking to nick a result against the North Africans in a few days... if they lose, they then face Central African Republic which should have picked up 3 points vs Lesotho

Matchday 6 with all to play for between Gabon and C.A.R.

Morocco+Gabon to qualify, I think

All to play for in Group A

Key match is The Gambia vs Comoros. Coach McKinstry was hoping this match'd be played in The Gambia, but their home stadium isn't homologated

Comoros are the better group of player, The Gambia the more talented individuals.

Comoros + Tunisia to qualify, in my opinion