Ghana have been handed a challenging route in the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations after being drawn alongside Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia and Somalia in Group C.
The draw places the Black Stars on what many view as a crucial redemption journey following their failure to qualify for the 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco.
For the four-time African champions, the 2027 campaign represents an opportunity to restore pride and re-establish themselves among the continent’s elite after a difficult period that saw Ghana slip into Pot 2 for the draw.
The qualification series for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, features 48 nations divided into 12 groups of four teams, with the top two sides progressing to the finals.
While Somalia are viewed as the outsiders in the group, Ghana are expected to face a much sterner test against Gambia and Ivory Coast.
The Scorpions have emerged as one of Africa’s steadily improving national teams in recent years, building a reputation for disciplined defensive organisation and dangerous counter-attacking football.
Their recent rise has transformed them into a potentially tricky opponent for a Ghana side still searching for consistency after recent setbacks.
Somalia, meanwhile, arrive in the qualifiers after progressing through the preliminary rounds and will embrace the role of underdogs in what could become a historic encounter against one of Africa’s traditional football powers.
For Ghana, those fixtures may also provide an opportunity to strengthen their goal difference in a tightly contested group.
However, the standout fixture in the draw is undoubtedly the renewed West African rivalry between Ghana and Ivory Coast.
The Elephants enter the qualification campaign carrying significant momentum and are widely regarded as one of the continent’s strongest sides under coach Emerse Faé.
Ivory Coast’s squad combines experienced leaders with some of the most highly-rated young talents in world football, creating a sharp contrast with Ghana’s rebuilding project.
The meetings between the two neighbours are expected to become defining moments in the group and could play a major role in determining who finishes top.
For the Black Stars, qualification is now more than simply reaching another AFCON tournament — it is about restoring belief after one of the most disappointing periods in the country’s football history.
