Ghana faces neighbors Côte d'Ivoire in AFCON 2027 qualifiers in Group C

The Black Stars of Ghana have been drawn in Group C alongside Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia and Somalia for the qualifiers to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. The qualification campaign is scheduled to run from September 2026 to March 2027, with the four nations set to battle for a place at Africa’s biggest football tournament. The draw has already generated excitement among Ghanaian football fans who are eager to see the Black Stars return strongly after their disappointing absence from the last edition of the competition.

Missing out on the previous AFCON tournament was a major setback for Ghana, a nation with a rich football history and four continental titles. The failure to qualify sparked widespread criticism from supporters and football analysts, with many calling for reforms within the national team setup. As a result, the upcoming qualifiers are being viewed as an opportunity for redemption for the Black Stars and a chance to restore confidence among the football-loving public.

Group C is expected to provide tough competition, especially with Côte d’Ivoire entering the qualifiers as one of Africa’s strongest football nations. Gambia have also proven to be a difficult side in recent years, while Somalia continue to make gradual progress on the continental stage. Ghana will therefore need strong performances both home and away to secure qualification and avoid another disappointing campaign.

Football stakeholders in Ghana are hopeful that the Black Stars can rise to the challenge and reclaim their place among Africa’s elite teams.

With preparations expected to begin in the coming months, attention will now shift to squad selection, tactical planning and ensuring consistency throughout the qualifiers. Supporters across the country will be counting on the team to deliver positive results and secure a return to the AFCON stage in 2027.