Wednesday, September 23, 2026 • The Sudan national team intensified their preparations at their camp in the Saudi city of Taif (September 13-23) before facing Ethiopia on Friday at Juba Stadium in the opening of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. Coach James Kwesi Appiah said the players joined the camp in batches because some were busy with their clubs in African competitions, stressing that the goal is a strong start and reaching the finals. (Source: Africa Top Sports, September 20, 2026) • German Josef Zinnbauer, Al Hilal's new coach, set his target with the team: reaching at least the CAF Champions League semi-finals, according to what the WinWin website reported. Zinnbauer, who succeeded Romanian Laurentiu Reghecampf, achieved a perfect start with three consecutive wins, and qualified at the expense of Burundi's Aigle Noir in the first preliminary round, before facing Ethiopia's Sidama Buna in the second round. (Source: KickOff, September 19, 2026) • The first round of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers kicks off tomorrow, Thursday, with 48 teams in 12 groups, and 24 matches will be held until Saturday. The Falcons of Jediane host Ethiopia on Friday at Juba Stadium, while Senegal open their Group Ten campaign against Mozambique. (Source: Sports Village Square, September 22, 2026)
— Sports Desk