Renard, Vieira Lead New Afcon Coaches
· Sports · BBC Sport
AFCON 2027 qualifying begins Thursday for 48 sides contesting two rounds before further matches in November and March. Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda host a 24-team finals, with the top two in each of 12 groups progressing, although all three hosts are already qualified. Herve Renard returns to coach Ivory Coast against Ghana after winning Afcon with two nations, while Carlos Queiroz leads Ghana after its World Cup last-32 exit. Senegal begin two away fixtures under Patrick Vieira because Dakar is preparing to host the 2026 Youth Olympics, and Cape Verde appoint Humberto Bettencourt after Bubista resigned. Mohammed Kudus and other withdrawals affect Ghana's squad, while Algeria, Tunisia and South Africa have also changed coaches after the World Cup.
Why it matters
The new coaches and player absences shape qualification campaigns for 48 teams competing for one of 12 remaining finals places. Senegal, Ivory Coast and Ghana face immediate tests under new or returning leadership.
Read the original report — BBC Sport
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