The road to AFCON 2027 will begin with several players who have already built distinguished international careers and are seeking another appearance at Africa's leading national-team tournament. Among them are Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, Achraf Hakimi and Ademola Lookman, although not all will be available from the opening matchday.
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Salah, Mané and the African Stars Chasing Another AFCON Appearance
Mohamed Salah will lead Egypt from the opening qualifiers, while Sadio Mané must wait to return for Senegal. Achraf Hakimi and other African stars will also look to reach the 2027 tournament.
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Mohamed Salah seeks another opportunity with Egypt
Salah was included by Hossam Hassan in the squad to face Angola and South Sudan.
The forward reached the AFCON final in 2017 and 2021 but has yet to win the competition with Egypt.
The Pharaohs are the tournament's most successful national team with seven titles, although they have not lifted the trophy since 2010.
For Salah, qualifying for 2027 would represent another opportunity to achieve one of the major remaining goals of his international career.
What is happening with Sadio Mané?
Mané remains a Senegal international. He has not announced his retirement from the national team.
However, he was not included in the first squad named by Patrick Vieira, the new Lions of Teranga head coach.
Vieira explained that the forward is dealing with a physical issue and indicated that he could return during the next international window.
Mané will therefore miss the opening matches against Mozambique and Ethiopia, but he remains part of Senegal's international plans.
Hakimi and Lookman are also chasing qualification
Achraf Hakimi was selected by Mohamed Ouahbi for the beginning of Morocco's qualifying campaign.
However, he must serve a pending CAF suspension and will miss the opener against Gabon.
Ademola Lookman, meanwhile, is part of Nigeria's squad for the matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
The Super Eagles will attempt to return to the finals after finishing third in the 2025 edition.
Another continental opportunity
The qualifiers offer these players a chance to extend their AFCON careers.
However, their immediate situations differ: Salah and Lookman are in the opening squads, Hakimi must serve a suspension, and Mané needs to complete his physical recovery.
The next Africa Cup of Nations will take place from June 19 to July 17, 2027, in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
