AFCON 2027: Ghana face qualification crisis as DR Congo, Morocco and Ivory Coast close in on early tickets

Ghana’s hopes of avoiding a second consecutive Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) absence will come under renewed scrutiny this week as the 2027 qualifiers enter a crucial phase, with several continental heavyweights poised to secure early qualification.

The Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast and Morocco could become the first teams to book their places at next year’s tournament if they maintain their perfect records in the upcoming rounds of matches.

The three nations, who all featured at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, have won their opening two matches and need victories in their respective fixtures over the next seven days to guarantee qualification for the 24-team competition.

However, Ghana face a more difficult task, with the Black Stars needing to revive their campaign after a disastrous start that has left them at risk of missing another AFCON tournament.

The 2027 edition, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, is scheduled to take place from June 19 to July 17.

Ghana under pressure after disastrous start

Ghana enter the latest international window knowing that anything short of a significant improvement could further complicate their qualification prospects.

The Black Stars opened their Group C campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Ivory Coast in Bouaké before suffering a shock 2-1 home loss to Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The defeats have left Ghana without a point after two matches, placing them in a precarious position as they attempt to avoid another embarrassing qualification failure.

Ghana 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 concerns about the country’s declining fortunes in continental football.

The disappointing results also triggered a change in the technical direction of the team, with veteran Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz departing after just two matches in charge.

He has been replaced on an interim basis by Swedish tactician Kim Lars Björkegren, who currently manages Ghana’s women’s national team, while the Ghana Football Association searches for a permanent successor.

Björkegren’s immediate task will be to restore confidence and secure maximum points from Ghana’s two meetings with Somalia.

The Black Stars will host the Somalians in successive fixtures in Sekondi on Thursday and Monday, with their opponents surrendering home advantage because they lack an international-standard stadium.

Captain Jordan Ayew and Mohammed Kudus are available again after recovering from injuries, providing a boost to Ghana’s attacking options.

However, Antoine Semenyo remains unavailable, leaving the interim technical team without another important attacking option.

DR Congo, Morocco and Ivory Coast eye early qualification

While Ghana battle to rescue their campaign, three teams are on the verge of becoming the first nations to qualify for the tournament.

DR Congo, Morocco and Ivory Coast have made impressive starts and will secure their places at the finals with victories in their respective matches.

DR Congo face Sierra Leone, while Morocco take on Niger as both sides look to maintain their unbeaten records.

Ivory Coast, meanwhile, will meet Gambia in a particularly significant Group C encounter.

The Elephants will be hoping to extend their winning run after opening their campaign with victory over Ghana and strengthening their position at the top of the group.

Gambia, however, have already demonstrated their ability to upset the established order, having stunned Ghana on home soil in September.

The Scorpions will therefore approach the encounter with confidence as they seek to build on their impressive start and strengthen their own qualification ambitions.

The current qualification format sees two teams advance from each of the 12 groups, except for three groups where different qualification arrangements apply.

The third and fourth rounds of matches will be played during the 10-day international window, with the final two rounds scheduled for March.

Nigeria and Cape Verde face qualification battles

Ghana are not the only former continental heavyweights facing uncertainty, with Nigeria also under pressure to avoid a damaging qualification setback.

The Super Eagles suffered an embarrassing 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in their last Group L fixture, leaving their campaign in need of an immediate response.

They must now overcome Tanzania in consecutive encounters, first at home 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 resulted in changes within the country’s football administration, and missing the next AFCON would represent another significant setback.

The Super Eagles reached the semi-finals of the previous tournament in Morocco and will be desperate to avoid another major disappointment.

Cape Verde are also facing an unexpected challenge after their impressive debut appearance at the 2026 World Cup.

The island nation captured attention with their historic run at the global tournament, progressing beyond the group stage, but their return to continental competition has been far less encouraging.

They lost their opening two AFCON qualifying matches and currently sit bottom of Group K.

Cape Verde must now find a way to turn their fortunes around when they face Liberia in back-to-back fixtures on Friday and Tuesday.

With the qualification campaign approaching a decisive stage, the upcoming matches could reshape the race for places at the 2027 AFCON, offering some nations an opportunity to secure early passage while leaving others facing an increasingly difficult road to qualification.