The road to Afcon 2027 Pamoja officially kicks off on Thursday with 48 nations starting their quest to reach Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda next year.
The qualification campaign will end in March next year when 24 nations confirm their places at the Afcon finals in East Africa.
The two top teams in each group earn qualification to the first tournament in East Africa since 1976 when Ethiopia hosted the continental showpiece.
Groups involving hosts will have the highest performing nation in the group alongside the co-host for the final tournament.
Several nations have made managerial changes since the last edition in Morocco with new tacticians desperate to make an early mark.
Patrick Vieira takes over Senegal from Pape Thiaw in his first national team managerial job with the Lions of Teranga.
Herve Renard returns for a second stint with Ivory Coast eleven years after leading the Elephants to the Afcon title in 2015.
Renard starts his second spell at home against Ghana on Thursday in the standout match of the first round of fixtures.
Carlos Queiroz manages Ghana as the Black Stars aim to return to Afcon after missing out on the last edition in Morocco.
Pitso Mosimane returns to South Africa after 14 years since his first stint with Bafana Bafana.
He replaces Belgian Hugo Broos who did well at the last two editions and returned the 1996 winners to the World Cup.
Mohamed Ouahbi took over Morocco after Morocco 2025 and guided the Atlas Lions to the quarter final of the tournament.
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Source: Kawowo Sports
