The draw for the 2027 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers has placed Namibia in a challenging group alongside Cameroon, Comoros and Congo Brazzaville as the Brave Warriors begin their bid to reach Africa’s biggest football tournament.
The qualifying draw was held in Cairo, Egypt, on Tuesday, with 48 nations divided into 12 groups of four teams. The leading two teams from each group will qualify automatically for the finals, while groups containing one of the co-host nations will allow an additional side to advance.
The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will be staged jointly by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in June 2027.
Namibia’s inclusion in Group G is expected to provide a stern test for the southern African side, particularly with five-time African champions Cameroon among their opponents. Comoros, who have made notable progress in recent years, and Congo Brazzaville complete the group.
Despite the difficult draw, Namibia head coach Collin Benjamin expressed confidence that his side can compete strongly during the campaign.
“It’s a good draw and we are drawn against good teams. Cameroon is a powerhouse in African football, but our statistics against them look good on paper. Comoros recently participated in the 2025 AFCON held in Morocco and they have been doing well, with most of their players playing in Europe. Congo Brazzaville has athletic players and we are looking forward to playing them in September,” said Benjamin.
The former Namibia captain said preparation and discipline would be central to the team’s hopes of securing qualification.
“For us, the focus will be on preparation, discipline and hard work. Every team at this stage deserves respect, but we also believe in our own quality and ability to compete. The players are motivated and eager to represent the country well. Our objective is to fight for qualification and make the nation proud,” he added.
Namibia will be aiming to build on the progress they have shown in recent AFCON tournaments, where the Brave Warriors have demonstrated increasing competitiveness on the continental stage.
The team’s supporters are also expected to play an important role as enthusiasm builds around another qualification campaign. Expectations have risen following Namibia’s recent performances, with many fans hopeful the national side can once again challenge for a place among Africa’s elite.
Cameroon are widely regarded as the favourites in the group because of their pedigree and experience in African football, while Comoros continue to establish themselves as a growing force after their recent appearances on the continental stage. Congo Brazzaville, meanwhile, are expected to provide a physically demanding challenge.
Qualification matches are scheduled to begin in September, with Namibia facing a demanding series of fixtures as they seek one of the available places at the 2027 finals.
For the Brave Warriors, the draw marks the beginning of another important journey, with the squad hoping to continue the country’s upward trajectory in African football and secure a place at the tournament to be hosted across East Africa.
