By: Odeh Favour Adiya
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will tomorrow discover their group opponents for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign when the Confederation of African Football (CAF) conducts the official draw in Cairo, Egypt.
The draw will officially mark the beginning of the qualification series for the continental showpiece, which is scheduled to take place from June 19 to July 17, 2027.
This particular tournament is set to make history as the first time three countries will be co-hosting the competition. Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda are hosting under the theme “PAMOJA”—a Swahili word meaning “together.” It also marks the return of AFCON to East Africa for the first time since Ethiopia hosted it in 1976.
According to CAF, 48 countries will participate in the qualifiers, which will be divided into 12 groups of four teams each.
The top two teams from every group will automatically qualify for the tournament. However, because the three host nations have already secured their places, a unique rule applies to their groups, where only one additional team will advance alongside them.
Football fans can look forward to a packed schedule, as the qualification matches will be played across three FIFA international windows between September 2026 and March 2027.
Traditional African football powerhouses including Nigeria, Senegal, Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, and South Africa are all expected to battle strongly for places at the tournament. But the big boys must watch their steps, as CAF has noted the increasing competitiveness of African football, citing the recent rise of countries like Comoros and Gambia in continental campaigns.
Beyond the action on the pitch, the governing body believes the tournament will provide a massive lift off the field, boosting tourism, infrastructure development, and regional cooperation across East Africa while showcasing the rich culture and passion of the host nations.
