The qualifiers ended this week with Cameroon, The Gambia and Namibia securing their place for the tournament which will be held in Cote d’Ivoire.

in the biggest football competition on the African Continent. “The quality of the national teams that have qualified is a clear indication that we will hold the most successful AFCON in the history of the competition,” said Motsepe in a statement released on Caf website.

“Cote d’Ivoire is a proud football nation and we are grateful for the commitment of His Excellency President Alassane Ouattara, Prime Minister Patrick Achi, the Government of Côte d’Ivoire and the Fédération Ivorienne de Football to ensure that the football facilities and infrastructure in the country are world-class.

“CAF is looking forward to welcoming all of the qualifying Nations in Côte d’Ivoire on 13 January 2024.”

The 24 national teams that have qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations are: Cote d’Ivoire, Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, DR Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, The Gambia, Tunisia and Zambia.

Mich was appointed as the Uganda coach in July 2021, when he signed a three-year contract.

“Today, Thursday 14th September 2023, FUFA and Mr. Milutin Sredojevic agreed to mutually end the existing employment contract between the two parties.

“FUFA appreciates all efforts and commitment by Mr. Milutin during his period as Head coach of Uganda Cranes.”

Uganda finished in position three, Group F in the Africa Nations Cup qualifiers.

The Africa Cup of Nations is scheduled to be held in Cote d’Ivoire, with the tournament kicking off on January 13, 2023 and the draw for the tournament is set to take place on October 12, in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

Cameroon, the previous winners when Cote d’Ivoire hosted the event in 1984, secured their qualification for the tournament with a 3-0 victory against Burundi on the last day of the Qualifiers.

Next year’s tournament will feature a strong field, including 12 former African champions and the top 16-ranked teams in Africa according to FIFA rankings.

The host nation, Cote d’Ivoire, will lead a strong West African contingent, with Senegal, the defending champions, four times winners Ghana and Nigeria 2013 winners among the participating teams.

Other teams in the tournament include Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, and Gambia, who sealed their qualification dramatically.

Tanzania is returning for its second finals appearance, building on the success of clubs like Yanga SC and Simba in African Club competitions.

Tunisia, with 16 successive finals appearances and a championship in 1994, will be a formidable team in the tournament.

Morocco, Africa’s first FIFA World Cup Semi-finalists, will aim to replicate their performance in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Egypt, seeking their eighth title, has reached two of the last three finals in 2017 and the 2021 edition.

The Africa Cup of Nations is indeed a significant sporting event with a rich history and a diverse group of competitive teams participating. Football fans around the world can look forward to an exciting tournament in Cote d’Ivoire.

Winners in 1990 and 2019, Algeria returns to go for a third title.
24 Qualified Nations
Cote d’Ivoire (hosts)
Algeria
Angola
Burkina Faso
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Democratic Republic of Congo
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
The Gambia
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Mali
Mauritania
Morocco
Mozambique
Namibia
Nigeria
Senegal
South Africa
Tanzania
Tunisia
Zambia

Salif Keita passe away on Saturday, 2 September. The former striker made his international debut in 1963, at the age of 16 and was also part of the squad that finished as runners to Congo at the 1972 African Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

In 1967 he joined French Ligue 1 side, AS Saint-Etienne, and help them win three consecutive league titles.

In 1970, the Bamako-born was voted as the African Footballer of the Year. “Dr Patrice Motsepe on behalf of CAF, conveyed condolences on the passing of former Mali International and National Team player, Salif Keita to his family, the Fédération Malienne de Football, his friends and colleagues,” read the statement.

Barker, who led Bafana Bafana to Arica Cup of Nations in 1996, passed away on Saturday, 10 June 2023 after a brave battle with Lewy Body Dementia (LBD). Linda Zwane, the Vice President of SAFA, inaugurated the event that took place in Nasrec.

“We are pushing two main agendas – being women’s football and youth football. It is critical that in line with these two agendas, our coaches are educated and skilled to be able to meet the international standards of these areas of football, and today’s launch speaks about that,’’ said Zwane.

SAFA Technical Director Walter Steenbok detailed the mission of the Clive Barker Academy and also announced that the Association would once again host CAF A License Diploma courses. The first CAF A License Course will be held in November 2023.

“We are excited to announce the Clive Barker Academy and have already outlined some of the courses that will be offered from 2024. We as the South African Football Association have a responsibility to educate and uplift our coaches, who will in return elevate our football as a nation,” said Steenbok.

“We will be offering a number of different courses under the Clive Barker Academy and we are open to working with stakeholders and institutions from South Africa and abroad to capitalize on the initiative in order to grow our football.

“The Technical side of football is very interesting and modern football allows for specialists in many different aspects of the technical department. In modern football, one can become a Technical Director, a performance analyst, a scout, youth coach/scout and many other areas. The SAFA Clive Barker Academy will focus of areas such as these to train our up and coming coaches,” concluded Steenbok

Broos’ charges, who recently qualified for the 2023 Africa Nations Cup, will host Namibia on 9 September and Democratic Republic of Congo on 12 September in preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations to be held in Cote d’Ivoire in January 2024.

The fundamental crew will be managed to 23 players one week from now when Broos declares his last rundown for the two matches.

The preliminary squad will be trimmed to 23 players next week when Broos announces his final list for the two matches.

BAFANA BAFANA PRELIMINARY SQUAD
GOALKEEPER: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Veli Mothwa (Amazulu), Ricardo Goss (Supersport United), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)

DEFENDERS: Nyiko Mobbie (Sekhukhune United), Grant Kekana, Aubrey Modiba, Mothobi Mvala (All Mamelodi Sundowns), Nkosinathi Sibisi, Thabiso Monyane, Innocent Maela (All Orlando Pirates), Siyanda Xulu, Ime Akon (Both Supersport United), Given Msimango, Sfiso Hlanti (Both Kaizer Chiefs), Keegan Allan (Swallows FC), Zuko Mdunyelwa (Chippa United)

MIDFIELDERS: Luke Le Roux (Varbergs Bois, Sweden), Njabulo Blom (St. Louis FC, USA), Teboho Mokoena, Bathusi Aubass (Both Mamelodi Sundowns), Grant Magerman (Supersport United), Sphephelo Sithole (C.D Tondela, Portuguese), Mlungisi Mbunjana (TS Galaxy)

FORWARD: Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Kabelo Kodisang (Moreirense FC), Khanyisa Mayo (Cape Town City), Iqraam Rayners (Stellenbosch), Pule Mmodi (Kaizer Chiefs), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota FC, USA), Percy Tau (Al Ahly, Egypt), Lyle Foster (Burnley, England), Lebo Mothiba (Strasbourg FC, France), Monnapule Saleng, Zakhele Lepasa (Both Orlando Pirates)

Bafana Bafana, who have already qualified for the Afcon, will take on the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finalists on Saturday 17 June 2023 at the FNB Stadium.

“If we get a good result, it will be good for us. It will be good for them too if they get a good result,” said Broos.

The South African senior men’s national team will go into camp on Sunday 11 June 2023. The match will kick off at 17h00 and tickets went on sale on 1 June 2023 and they cost R50.

Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu), Ricardo Goss (SuperSport United)

Defenders: Sydney Mobbie (Sekhukhune United), Siyanda Xulu (Turan Tovuz), Innocent Maela and Nkosinathi Sibisi (Both Orlando Pirates), Thapelo Morena, Aubrey Modiba, Grant Kekana and Mothobi Mvala (All Mamelodi Sundowns)

Midfielders: Luke Le Roux (Varbergs BoIS), Njabulo Blom (Saint Louis), Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bathusi Aubaas (TS Galaxy)

Forwards: Monnapule Saleng (Orlando Pirates), Themba Zwane and Cassius Mailula (Both Mamelodi Sundowns), Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota United FC), Percy Tau (Al Ahly SC), Zakhele Lepasa and Thapelo Maseko (SuperSport United)

Bafana Bafana will take on the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finalist at FNB Stadium, on Saturday, 17 June and both sides have already qualified for the continental tournament to be held in Côte d’Ivoire on 13 January – 11 February 2024.

The 34-member preliminary squad will be cut down to 23 players early next month when Broos announces his final squad.

The team will go to camp from 31 May 2023 to 7 June and it will be made up of local and a few overseas-based players.

The final squad will go into camp on Sunday 11 June 2023.

Full Squad:

Goalkeeper: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Veli Mothwa (Amazulu), Ricardo Goss (Supersport United), Melusi Buthelezi (TS Galaxy)

Defenders: Given Msimango (TS Galaxy), Thapelo Maseko (Supersport United), Nyiko Mobbie (Sekhukhune United), Innocent Maela, Nkosinathi Sibisi (Both Orlando Pirates), Taariq Fielies (Cape Town City), Siyanda Xulu (Turan Tovuz, Azerbaijani), Thapelo Morena, Aubrey Modiba, Grant Kekana, Khuliso Mudau, Mothobi Mvala (All Mamelodi Sundowns)

Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bathusi Aubaas (TS Galaxy), Njabulo Blom (St. Louis City, USA), Grant Magerman (Supersport United), Miguel Timm (Orlando Pirates), Sphelele Mkhulise, Themba Zwane (Both Mamelodi Sundowns), Luke Le Roux (Varbergs, Sweden), Monnapule Saleng (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Forward: Zakhele Lepasa (Supersport United), Cassius Mailula (Mamelodi Sundowns), Kabelo Kodisang (Moreirense F.C, Portugal), Khanyisa Mayo (Cape Town City), Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota United, USA), Percy Tau (Al Ahly, Egypt), Pule Mmodi (Golden Arrows), Iqraam Rayners (Stellenbosch)

None of the Chiefs players were selected by coach Hugo Broos for back-to-back Africa Nations Cup qualifiers against Liberia.

“I’ve always wanted to represent my country and I still want to do that,” the player said during Kaizer Chiefs open media day. “It’s always an ambition to help the country qualify for major tournaments, that is still in me. We are happy that the boys qualified, we are happy that we are going to the Afcon.

“We don’t know what is going to happen next, whoever makes the squad just needs to make sure that we go there and do the country proud.”

The next Afcon tournament will be played in Cote d’Ivoire in January and a lot can happen between now and then. But the 30-year-old says his focus for now is to do his best for his club Kaizer Chiefs.

“For me, I’m at a stage where if I happen to make the team, I will go and give my best. If I don’t, it gives me time to spend with my family.

“I’m at a point in my life where I want to give my best to Kaizer Chiefs. If I do go to Bafana Bafana, I will do my best.”
By Zola Doda

Bafana Bafana beat Liberia 2-1 in Monrovia to book their place at the next Afcon tournament to be held in Cote d’Ivoire. Zakhele Lepasa scored the first goal for Bafana before Mihlali Mayambela out matter beyond reach with a second half goal.

“We knew that Liberia use power play; they play from behind, long balls and then fight for it [the ball],” Bross said after the match.

“We needed guys who could fight as well. With [Innocent[ Maela at the back, Sphephelo Sithole in midfielder and Mihlali Mayambela is a big guy with power. I knew we could do something and we did.”

“South Africa is a country that should be at Afcon all the time and I didn’t understand why we didn’t qualify in the last two years. This was very important, we have a new team, a young team. In international games it’s very important to have international experience.

“We are going to the biggest tournament in Africa, we can only progress in the next ten months and hopefully we will be ready for the tournament.”

The 34th edition of Afcon will be played in January and February 2024.

By Zola Doda