Ghana to face Ivory Coast in Afcon 2027 qualifying
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has drawn the groups for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. According to the announcement, Ghana will be in the same group as defending champions Ivory Coast. The qualifying matches start in September 2026.
CAF announced the qualification groups for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations at a draw ceremony in Cairo on Wednesday. With 48 teams split into 12 groups, Ghana will play alongside defending champions Ivory Coast as well as Mozambique and the Comoros. The BBC Africa sport desk highlighted the immediate competitive pull the pairing will produce on match days.
The Ghana Football Association said in a statement that 'meeting Ivory Coast is always a major prestige fixture'. The federation added that its top squad list will be finalised after the qualifier schedule is confirmed. Ivory Coast coach Emerse Faé said after the draw that 'we will protect our home advantage'.
The 2027 tournament will be jointly hosted for the first time by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. CAF noted that the host trio has automatic qualifying places and that the road through qualification will bring 30 teams to the tournament. Qualifying matches start in the week of 1-9 September 2026.
More from Africa
'Ebola has tortured us': Fear grips eastern DR Congo as deadly virus spreads
As the Ebola outbreak continues to spread in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, daily life has collapsed in villages around Bukavu and Goma. Testimonies gathered by BBC Africa show medical teams struggling to reach conflict zones. Suspected cases now exceed 600 and deaths have topped 139.
DRC health minister warns 'very high' Ebola lethality rate as toll hits 80
The health minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo warned that the lethality rate of an Ebola outbreak in the country's east is exceptionally high. The official death toll has reached 80, and local authorities flag a shortage of treatment-centre capacity.
Mali junta leader names himself defence minister after predecessor killed
Mali's military junta leader has assumed the role of defence minister after his predecessor, Sadio Camara, was killed in a major offensive by combined jihadist and separatist forces.