Black Stars Draw Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia and Somalia in Tough 2027 AFCON Qualifying Group

The Ghana national football team have been handed a stern test in the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations after being drawn alongside Ivory Coast national football team, Gambia national football team and Somalia national football team in what promises to be one of the most competitive groups of the qualifying campaign.

The draw presents a crucial opportunity for redemption for Ghana following the Black Stars’ disappointing failure to qualify for the 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco — a setback that sparked widespread criticism and raised questions about the future direction of the national team.

For the four-time African champions, the 2027 qualifiers represent far more than a battle for qualification. It is a chance to restore national pride, rebuild confidence and re-establish Ghana’s status among Africa’s football elite after a turbulent period that saw the Black Stars placed in Pot Two for the draw.

The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, with 48 nations divided into 12 groups of four. The top two teams from each group will qualify automatically for the tournament.

While Somalia are considered the outsiders in the group, Ghana are expected to face difficult encounters against both Gambia and Côte d’Ivoire.

Gambia have emerged as one of Africa’s rapidly improving football nations in recent years. Known for their disciplined defensive organisation and dangerous counter-attacking football, the Scorpions have developed into a highly competitive side capable of troubling even the continent’s traditional heavyweights.

Somalia, meanwhile, will approach the campaign with confidence after successfully navigating the preliminary stages. Although regarded as underdogs, they will relish the opportunity to test themselves against some of Africa’s most recognised football nations in what could become a memorable qualifying journey.

However, the standout fixture in the group will undoubtedly be the renewed rivalry between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

The Elephants head into the qualifiers in impressive form and remain one of Africa’s strongest teams under head coach Emerse Faé. Blending experienced internationals with a new generation of talented young players, Côte d’Ivoire are widely expected to provide the biggest obstacle to Ghana’s hopes of topping the group.

The clashes between the two West African rivals are already generating excitement among supporters and could ultimately determine who finishes at the summit of the standings.

For the Black Stars, the upcoming qualifiers are about more than simply reaching another AFCON tournament. They represent an opportunity to restore belief among supporters and recover from one of the most difficult chapters in the history of Ghanaian football.

About The Author

Emmanuel Austin Baah

My name is Emmanuel Austin Baah, professionally known as “Okocha”. I am a seasoned Ghanaian journalist, broadcaster and football commentator from Senya Bereku in the Central Region. My work reflects a strong commitment to factual reporting, ethical journalism and the continuous promotion of Ghanaian sports.

I am currently pursuing my studies at Cape Coast Technical University, building on a solid foundation of media practice and communication. I previously served as a sports producer at Radio Gold (90.5) and Montie FM (100.1) in Accra, where I was actively involved in editorial planning, programme production, live commentary and in-depth sports analysis.

Presently, I am a Senior Writer at SportsNetGhana.com, a role in which I produce well-researched features, match reports, athlete profiles and analytical pieces. My work consistently highlights emerging talents, captures key sporting developments and contributes to shaping informed sports discourse in Ghana.

Over the course of my career, I have covered numerous major sporting events both locally and internationally. Among these, the highlight remains my coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, a significant milestone that strengthened my expertise in global football reporting and enhanced my understanding of international sports dynamics.

I am widely recognised for my clarity of analysis, engaging commentary style and strong command of both local and global football trends. Beyond the newsroom, I participate in community initiatives aimed at developing young sports journalists and promoting youth engagement in sports.

For professional engagements, media collaborations or enquiries, please contact me on 0265284330.

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