Nigeria has been drawn against Madagascar, Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau in the qualification race for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football conducted the official draw for the tournament’s preliminary stage. The draw, which maps out the path to the 2027 AFCON finals to be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, placed 48 participating countries into four pots of 12 teams each. Every qualifying group features one team from each pot, with the top two sides securing places at the continental showpiece.
Defending champions Morocco were placed in Group A alongside Gabon, Niger and Lesotho in the group.
Fresh from their resurgence under coach Hugo Broos, South Africa were handed what many observers consider a manageable route in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after being placed in Group D.
One of the standout narratives from the group will see South Africa face co-hosts Kenya, now managed by former Bafana Bafana striker Benni McCarthy. The fixture is expected to carry extra significance given McCarthy’s long-standing connection with South African football.
Elsewhere, Group C has produced one of the most anticipated ties of the qualifiers, with Ghana set to renew their rivalry with defending African champions Ivory Coast in a clash reminiscent of the dramatic 2015 AFCON final.
The qualification series for the 2027 tournament is expected to get underway in September 2026, with matches continuing through to March 2027 as teams battle for places at the continental showpiece.
THE FULL DRAW – AFCON 2027
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
Eritrea
Group E
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Equatorial Guinea
Sierra Leone
Zimbabwe
Group F
Burkina Faso
Benin
Mauritania
Central African Republic
Group G
Cameroon
Comoros
Namibia
Congo
Group H
Tunisia
Uganda
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
Guinea-Bissau
