The AFCON 2027 qualifiers have delivered one of the most anticipated matchups of the campaign, with Ghana and reigning African champions Côte d’Ivoire drawn together in Group C in a clash that revives one of West Africa’s most intense football rivalries.
Alongside The Gambia and Somalia, the group brings together contrasting football stories, but all attention will inevitably focus on the heavyweight meetings between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire — two nations with a long history of high-stakes encounters on the continental stage.
Côte d’Ivoire enter the campaign as defending African champions, carrying the confidence and expectation that comes with continental success. Their recent triumph has reinforced their status as one of Africa’s elite sides, blending experience with a generation of emerging talent.
Ghana, meanwhile, arrive with determination to reassert themselves among Africa’s top teams after a period of inconsistency in major tournaments.
The Black Stars remain one of the continent’s most historic sides, but qualification campaigns in recent years have highlighted the need for greater stability and cutting-edge performances in decisive matches.
Their meeting in Group C is already being viewed as a potential group-defining fixture, with both sides expected to battle for top spot and automatic qualification. With only two places available in most groups, dropping points in head-to-head encounters could prove costly.
The Gambia add an unpredictable element to the group after their impressive rise in recent competitions, including strong performances on their AFCON debut in 2021. Known for their discipline and organisation, they are more than capable of disrupting the established order if either Ghana or Côte d’Ivoire falter.
Somalia complete the group, but the spotlight will remain firmly fixed on the West African giants, whose rivalry adds both history and intensity to the qualification campaign.
Beyond the standings, the group also carries emotional weight. Encounters between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire have often produced dramatic moments in African football history, and the stakes will be no different when qualification for AFCON 2027 is on the line.
With the campaign set to run from September 2026 to March 2027, Group C already stands out as one of the most compelling sections of the draw. A group where pedigree, pressure and pride are set to collide in classic West African fashion.
