Despite World Cup Qualification, Ghana And Cape Verde Outside AFCON Top Seeds

Despite World Cup Qualification, Ghana And Cape Verde Outside AFCON Top Seeds

By Niyi Busari 

Ghana and Cape Verde, despite securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, will not be among the top-seeded nations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying draw scheduled for Tuesday in Cairo, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The two nations booked their places at next year’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico after missing out on qualification for the 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco. However, current FIFA rankings determined the seeding for the upcoming AFCON qualifiers, leaving both teams in Pot Two.

Ten of the 12 nations placed in Pot One are former African champions, underlining the weight of historical success and consistent continental performance in the rankings.

Morocco, finalists at the 2025 AFCON, headline the top seeds alongside Senegal, Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt and Ivory Coast. The Moroccans were later awarded the 2025 title following a controversial appeal process involving the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The final against Senegal ended in controversy after several Senegalese players briefly walked off the pitch in protest following a late penalty awarded to Morocco. Although Brahim Diaz failed to convert the spot kick, Morocco eventually secured victory after extra time through Pape Gueye’s winner. Senegal subsequently challenged the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and are still awaiting a ruling.

Four-time African champions Ghana endured a disappointing AFCON qualifying campaign, finishing behind Angola, Sudan and Niger in their group. Cape Verde also struggled, ending bottom of their group with only one win from six matches against Egypt, Botswana and Mauritania.

Both nations, however, responded impressively in World Cup qualifying. Cape Verde’s success was particularly notable as they finished ahead of Cameroon to secure qualification, one of the major surprises of the African campaign.

Guinea, inspired by prolific Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy, are another notable side in Pot Two after failing to qualify for the 2025 AFCON.

The qualifying draw will feature 48 teams divided into 12 groups at the Egyptian Football Association headquarters in Cairo. Group winners and the best runners-up from nine groups will qualify for the tournament.

Co-hosts Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda have already secured automatic qualification for the 2027 finals, which will run from June 19 to July 17. Nevertheless, the three East African nations will participate in qualifying matches to gain competitive experience ahead of the tournament.

Because the co-hosts are already guaranteed places, only one additional team will qualify from each of their respective groups.

CAF president Patrice Motsepe has dismissed concerns over the preparedness of the East African hosts, insisting the tournament will proceed as planned. The 2027 edition will mark the first AFCON hosted in the region since Ethiopia staged the competition in 1976.

AFCON 2027 Qualifying Pots

Pot One:

Morocco, Senegal, Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Cameroon, DR Congo, Mali, South Africa, Burkina Faso

Pot Two:

Cape Verde, Ghana, Guinea, Gabon, Uganda, Angola, Benin, Zambia, Mozambique, Madagascar, Equatorial Guinea, Comoros

Pot Three:

Kenya, Libya, Tanzania, Niger, Mauritania, Gambia, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Namibia, Togo, Malawi, Rwanda

Pot Four:

Zimbabwe, Guinea-Bissau, Congo Brazzaville, Central African Republic, Liberia, Burundi, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Botswana, South Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia

Match Schedule

Matchdays 1 and 2: September 21 – October 6

Matchdays 3 and 4: November 9 – 17