BY Nadia Ntiamoah
The senior national team, the Black Stars, are set to discover their opponents for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers when the draw is conducted on May 19, 2026, following confirmation by the Confederation of African Football.
The draw will mark the official start of the quest to return to Africa’s biggest football stage after a disappointing absence from the last edition.
The qualification series will run from September 2026 to March 2027, with 48 nations divided into 12 groups of four teams each. Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the tournament, setting up a fiercely competitive qualification campaign across the continent.
East Africa Joint-Host
The 2027 tournament itself will be staged between June 19 and July 17, in a landmark joint hosting arrangement involving Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
This will be the first time three nations co-host the Africa Cup of Nations, reflecting CAF’s broader push to expand infrastructure and collaboration across the continent.
Redemption After Recent Setback
For the Ghana national football team, the qualifiers represent more than just a pathway to the tournament — they are a chance to restore pride and credibility.
Missing out on the most recent AFCON in Morocco was widely regarded as a major setback for a nation with such a rich footballing pedigree.
The upcoming campaign will therefore carry added pressure, as Ghana seeks to reassert itself among Africa’s elite and rebuild confidence among fans and stakeholders.
A Legacy Seeking Revival
Ghana remain one of the most successful teams in AFCON history, having won the tournament four times (1963, 1965, 1978, and 1982).
However, the Black Stars have endured a prolonged trophy drought, failing to lift the continental title for over four decades.
Despite consistently producing top-level talent and competing on the global stage, recent performances at AFCON have fallen short of expectations, making qualification for 2027 a critical step in the team’s rebuilding process.
