AFCON 2027 qualifiers: DR Congo, Ivory Coast and Morocco top their groups
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Business Day (South Africa)
DR Congo, Ivory Coast and Morocco, who top their groups, could secure their place at AFCON 2027 after the next round of qualifiers. According to Business Day, DR Congo face Sierra Leone, Morocco face Niger and Ivory Coast face Gambia, in a ten-day international window.
In nine of the 12 qualifying groups, two teams will qualify for the 24-team final phase of AFCON 2027, co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from 19 June to 17 July, according to Business Day. DR Congo, Ivory Coast and Morocco, all of whom played at the 2026 World Cup, can secure their place with wins in the upcoming matches, scheduled for this week.
DR Congo host Sierra Leone in Kinshasa, Morocco face Niger and Ivory Coast travel to face Gambia, who beat Ghana in September. The ten-day international window covers the third and fourth matchdays, with the last two scheduled for March.
Ghana, who played at the 2026 World Cup but missed AFCON 2025 hosted by Morocco, are in trouble. After a defeat to Ivory Coast and a home defeat to Gambia, with four goals conceded, Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz has left his post. Swede Kim Lars Bjorkegren, 44, who coaches the women’s team, is interim coach while a successor is sought. The Black Stars host Somalia in Sekondi on Thursday and again on Monday, with captain Jordan Ayew and Mohammed Kudus, back from injury, but without Antoine Semenyo.
Nigeria, who lost 3-0 in Guinea-Bissau, must win both matches against Tanzania, on Friday in Uyo and next Tuesday in Dar es Salaam. The Super Eagles, semi-finalists at the last AFCON, risk missing the tournament.
For DR Congo, 18,000 supporters are allowed to attend the match against Sierra Leone. In Morocco, the Atlas Lions are preparing for the match against Niger.
