Former Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong has said he is looking forward to the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches involving Ghana national football team and Ivory Coast national football team after the two sides were drawn together in the race for the 2027 tournament.
The draw for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers took place in Cairo on Tuesday, placing Ghana and Ivory Coast in Group C alongside Gambia national football team and Somalia national football team.
The pairing of the two West African football powers is already attracting widespread attention and is expected to become one of the standout fixtures of the qualification campaign.
Troost-Ekong, speaking after the draw, highlighted his anticipation for the group-stage matches and suggested the encounters involving Ghana and Ivory Coast could provide some of the most compelling moments of the qualifiers.
“I’m really excited now to see the draw for the qualification groups. I think for Nigeria, we have seen some teams that we have faced many times before, like Tanzania, Madagascar, and Guinea-Bissau. But also, I think we have some tough groups. I’m looking forward to seeing how Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana do against Gambia and Somalia. Overall, I think it’s going to be exciting and a great run-up to the tournament in 2027,” he said.
The former Nigeria captain’s comments have added further interest to a qualifying section that already appeared likely to produce high-profile contests. Ghana and Ivory Coast have long been regarded among Africa’s strongest football nations, and their meetings often generate significant interest across the continent.
With both teams expected to challenge strongly for qualification, the encounters between them could prove decisive in determining the final standings in Group C. The inclusion of Gambia and Somalia also adds another dimension to the group, with all four nations preparing for the opening phase of the campaign.
The completion of the draw now shifts attention towards the first round of fixtures, as teams begin preparations for the qualifiers later this year.
The opening two match windows for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualification series are scheduled to take place between 21 September and 6 October.
The qualifiers will determine which nations secure places at the continental tournament in 2027, with countries across Africa beginning their campaigns in the coming months.
For supporters, the prospect of Ghana facing Ivory Coast is already emerging as one of the headline stories from the draw ceremony in Cairo. The rivalry between the two nations, combined with the importance of qualification, is expected to create a highly competitive atmosphere when the fixtures are played.
As anticipation builds, football fans across Africa will now await confirmation of the schedule and venues for what promises to be one of the most closely watched ties in the qualification campaign.
