Former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has sent a message to the Nigerian national team following the draw for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The draw ceremony took place in Cairo, Egypt, on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, where Troost-Ekong was among the African football legends tasked with conducting the group stage draw.
Nigeria Drawn in Group L
The Super Eagles were placed in Group L alongside Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau, and co-host Tanzania. Troost-Ekong, who drew the balls for Pot 1, picked Nigeria last. According to the Nigeria Football Federation, Nigeria has faced all three opponents at least four times before, boasting superior head-to-head records and an upper hand in previous encounters.
Match Schedule
The qualifying matches will be played during the FIFA international windows of September-October 2026, November 2026, and March 2027. The top two teams from each group will secure their spots in the tournament co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Troost-Ekong's Message
Speaking to CAF Online, Troost-Ekong acknowledged the difficulty of the group but expressed confidence in the team's ability to qualify. "It is not an easy group, but I trust them to get over the line," he said. The former captain, who has participated in three AFCON tournaments and four qualifying campaigns, emphasized the importance of away form. "Playing away from home is always difficult because you encounter different pitches, environments, and conditions throughout the qualifiers," he added. "Winning away from home is very important if you want to enhance your qualification chances, but consistency throughout the campaign is equally crucial. Teams that find ways to win away from home will give themselves a great chance. There are some very tough groups, but there is also a lot of excitement around these qualifiers. I can't wait for the games and the tournament itself."
Full AFCON 2027Q Groups
- Group A: Morocco, Gabon, Niger Republic, Lesotho
- Group B: Egypt, Angola, Malawi, South Sudan
- Group C: Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, The Gambia, Somalia
- Group D: South Africa, Guinea, Kenya, Eritrea
- Group E: DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe
- Group F: Burkina Faso, Benin Republic, 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
Previous Reaction to CAF Decision
Legit.ng previously reported that Troost-Ekong reacted to CAF's decision to strip Senegal of the AFCON 2025 title following Morocco's appeal. The former Nigerian captain questioned the officiating at AFCON 2025 compared to the 2023 edition and stated that the decision set African football back.
