But in March, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) made the extraordinary move to strip Senegal<\/a> of their crown and award it to Morocco.<\/p>\n The controversial decision<\/a> came after a review of an incident at the end of normal time in the final, which saw most of the Senegalese team temporarily leave the field to protest an added-time penalty awarded to Morocco, which was missed after a lengthy delay.<\/p>\n Senegal have appealed<\/a> against CAF\u2019s decision, and the appeal will be heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on October 8.<\/p>\n Two-time African Footballer of the Year Mohamed Salah, who now plays club football for Trabzonspor in the Turkish Super Lig, stars in record seven-time African champions Egypt\u2019s squad.<\/p>\n Fans should also watch out for Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz and teen midfield sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi<\/a> in the Morocco squad, led by new coach Mohamed Ouahbi, as well as Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze in the Nigerian side.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, Ghana are strengthened by the return of their attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus, who missed the FIFA World Cup 2026 during a seven-month injury absence, while Senegal\u2019s midfield features several talents such as Ibrahim Mbaye and Iliman Ndiaye.<\/p>\n Will Mane and Hakimi play in the AFCON qualifiers?<\/p>\n Morocco will be without their key player and captain Achraf Hakimi for the opening two matches as he serves a two-match suspension, alongside Ismael Saibari, who is banned for three games, for unsporting behaviour<\/a> during the shambolic AFCON final in January.<\/p>\n Senegal will be without Sadio Mane, two-time African Footballer of the Year, as the Al-Nassr player sits out the match against Mozambique with what newly-appointed coach Patrick Vieira described as a \u201cphysical issue\u201d.<\/p>\n Nigeria\u2019s star striker Victor Osimhen will miss the opening qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau as he continues his recovery from a muscle problem. One of Africa\u2019s finest forwards, Osimhen picked up the injury while playing for his Turkish club Galatasaray.<\/p>\n Naby Keita is among the several established names excluded from the Guinea squad, while Tunisia\u2019s Hannibal Mejbri and Ivory Coast\u2019s Amad Diallo are both out with injuries.<\/p>\n Gabon will be without former captain and all-time top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who quit international duty, saying he felt \u201chumiliated\u201d<\/a> by his exclusion and subsequent reinstatement after the AFCON in Morocco in January.<\/p>\n Many other players also called time on their international careers this year. This includes Riyad Mahrez, who guided Algeria to the AFCON 2019 title; Edouard Mendy, Senegal\u2019s first-choice goalkeeper during their AFCON 2021 triumph; and Ghana\u2019s Spanish-born forward Inaki Williams.<\/p>\n How to watch and follow AFCON 2027 qualifying matches?<\/p>\n Fans can catch all the action from the AFCON 2027 qualifiers on the following broadcasters or streaming platforms:<\/p>\n North Africa and Middle East: beIN SPORTS The complete list of global broadcasters is here<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"FILE](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/AP26076789144414-1773787455.jpg\")
Senegal supporters protest after a controversial penalty was awarded to Morocco during the Africa Cup of Nations final [File: Youssef Loulidi\/AP Photo]Salah, Diaz and Lookman: The top players in AFCON 2027 qualifiers<\/p>\n![\"Jun](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/2026-06-14T180926Z_2073162410_MT1USATODAY29196725_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-FIFA-WORLD-CUP-2026-GROUP-C-BRAZI.jpeg\")
Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi in action during the FIFA World Cup 2026 [Vincent Carchietta\/Imagn Images]Which other key players will miss the AFCON qualifiers?<\/p>\n
\nSub-Saharan Africa: SuperSport
\nEast Africa: Azam TV, TBC Tanzania, KBC Kenya
\nSouth Africa: SABC Sport
\nFrancophone Africa: Canal+<\/p>\n