Ghana’s bid to avoid a second successive Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) absence faces a critical test this week, while DR Congo, Morocco and Ivory Coast can become the first teams to qualify for the 2027 tournament.
All three sides won their opening two matches and, having also featured at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, will secure their places at the 24-team finals by winning their respective matches over the next seven days.
The 2027 AFCON will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from June 19 to July 17.
Ghana seek to revive qualifying campaign
Ghana are bottom of Group C without a point after a damaging start. The Black Stars lost 2-0 to Ivory Coast in Bouake before suffering a shock 2-1 defeat by Gambia at Accra Sports Stadium.
The results have renewed concerns over Ghana’s decline in continental football. They missed the 2025 AFCON in Morocco for the first time in 21 years after finishing bottom of their qualifying group, and another failure would deepen the pressure on the national team.
The poor opening also brought a change in the coaching set-up. Veteran Portuguese manager Carlos Queiroz left after only two matches in charge and has been replaced on an interim basis by Swedish coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren, who also manages Ghana’s women’s national team.
The Ghana Football Association is continuing its search for a permanent successor, while Bjorkegren’s immediate priority is to collect maximum points from two matches against Somalia.
The Black Stars will host Somalia in successive fixtures in Sekondi on Thursday and Monday. Somalia have given up home advantage because they do not have an international-standard stadium.
Ghana have received a boost with captain Jordan Ayew and Mohammed Kudus returning after injury, but Antoine Semenyo remains unavailable.
Three teams close to finals places
DR Congo play Sierra Leone and Morocco face Niger as they attempt to preserve their unbeaten starts and seal qualification.
Ivory Coast meet Gambia in another important Group C fixture. The Elephants began with victory over Ghana and will want to extend their winning run, but Gambia will approach the match with confidence after their September win in Ghana.
The qualification system sends two teams through from each of the 12 groups, although three groups operate under different arrangements. The third and fourth rounds take place during the 10-day international window, with the final two rounds scheduled for March.
Nigeria and Cape Verde under pressure
Nigeria also need an immediate response after a 3-0 defeat by Guinea-Bissau left them facing a difficult Group L campaign.
The Super Eagles play Tanzania twice, hosting the first match in Uyo on Friday before travelling to Dar es Salaam for the return fixture next Tuesday.
Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup has already led to changes in the country’s football administration. Missing the next AFCON would be another major setback for the semi-finalists from the previous tournament in Morocco.
Cape Verde, meanwhile, are bottom of Group K after losing their opening two qualifiers. Their results contrast with their historic 2026 World Cup campaign, when they progressed beyond the group stage on their debut.
They now face Liberia in back-to-back matches on Friday and Tuesday as they attempt to revive their qualification hopes.
