The road to East Africa has officially been mapped out for the Super Eagles of Nigeria after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) held the highly anticipated 2027 AFCON qualifier draw on Tuesday in Cairo, Egypt.
Nigeria has been placed in Group L at the 2027 AFCON qualifier draw. The three-time African champions find themselves in a fascinating pool alongside Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau, and Tanzania, setting up a competitive campaign as they seek a ticket to the continental showpiece.
On paper, Nigeria enters Group L as the heavyweight favorite, but the group comes with a unique twist.
Tanzania is one of the co-hosts for the 2027 tournament, alongside Kenya and Uganda. Because Tanzania qualifies automatically for the finals as hosts, they are playing in the qualifiers for competitive preparation. Consequently, only one additional team from Group L will advance to the tournament, vastly narrowing the margin for error for Nigeria, Madagascar, and Guinea-Bissau.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will be hoping to not just go all the way and qualify for the 2027 AFCON but to bring the trophy home after coming third at the last AFCON campaign.
There are a total of 12 groups for the qualification race for the tournament set to be hosted by Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda.
Ghana was drawn in the same group as Côte d’Ivoire. Gambia and Somalia complete Group C, and the winners and runners-up after six matchdays between September and March qualify for the tournament.
The clash of four-time winners Ghana and three-time champions Ivory Coast resulted from Ghana being among the second seeds. Seeding was based on the current world rankings.
Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Cape Verde are among 10 African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, which kicks off next month in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Cape Verde, whose World Cup qualification at the expense of Cameroon was the biggest shock among the nine African groups, is in Group K of the AFCON with Mali, Rwanda, and Liberia.
South Africa is in Group D with Guinea, co-hosts Kenya, and Eritrea. With the Kenyans qualifying automatically, the other three teams will fight for one ticket to East Africa.
Morocco shares Group A with Gabon, Niger, and Lesotho.
Senegal will face Mozambique, Sudan, and Ethiopia in Group J.
Morocco lost a dramatic 2025 final to Senegal in Rabat, only to be declared winners after an appeal to the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The appeal resulted from many Senegal players leaving the pitch after Morocco were awarded an added-time penalty.
Senegal eventually returned, Brahim Diaz missed the spot kick, and Pape Gueye struck an extra-time winner.
Senegal reacted to being stripped of the title by appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland and is awaiting a verdict.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe has repeatedly refuted reports that the 2027 AFCON would be postponed or taken away from the co-hosts due to delays with preparations.
“The next (2027) AFCON is going to be in East Africa during June and July next year. I have no doubts about that, despite all the challenges,” he assured reporters recently.
AFCON 2027 Qualification Draw
Group A
Morocco, Gabon, Niger, Lesotho
Group B
Egypt, Angola, Malawi, South Sudan
Group C
Ivory Coast, Ghana, Gambia, Somalia
Group D
South Africa, Guinea, Kenya (co-host), Eritrea
Group E
Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe
Group F
Burkina Faso, Benin, Mauritania, Central African Republic
Group G
Cameroon, Comoros, Namibia, Congo Brazzaville
Group H
Tunisia, Uganda (co-host), Libya, Botswana
Group I
Algeria, Zambia, Togo, Burundi
Group J
Senegal, Mozambique, Sudan, Ethiopia
Group K
Mali, Cape Verde, Rwanda, Liberia
Group L
Nigeria, Madagascar, Tanzania (co-host), Guinea-Bissau
Note: Winners and runners-up qualify from nine groups, not including a co-host. In three groups, including a co-host, only one other team qualifies
Matchdays
1, 2: September 21-Oct 6
3, 4: November 9-17
5, 6: March 22-30 2027
