Troost-Ekong Among Legends Selected For Historic AFCON 2027 Draw

Troost-Ekong Among Legends Selected For Historic AFCON 2027 Draw

By Niyi Busari 

The Confederation of African Football has confirmed that African football legends Max-Alain Gradel, William Troost-Ekong, Essam El Hadary and Trésor Mputu will assist during the qualification draw for the historic TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The draw ceremony is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, May 19, at the headquarters of the Egyptian Football Association in Cairo and will officially launch the qualification campaign for Africa’s premier football tournament.

The 2027 edition of the competition will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, marking the first time in history that three nations will co-host the Africa Cup of Nations.

The tournament, scheduled to run from June 19 to July 17, 2027, will also represent the return of the continental showpiece to East Africa for the first time in more than five decades.

CAF confirmed that the remaining 48 nations in the qualification race will be divided into 12 groups, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the finals. Although the three host nations will participate in the qualifiers, they have already secured automatic qualification places.

The draw ceremony will feature some of the continent’s most celebrated football figures, each of whom has left a lasting legacy in African football.

Former AS Saint-Étienne winger Max-Alain Gradel enjoyed a distinguished international career with Ivory Coast national football team, winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015 and 2023 while also representing his country at multiple FIFA World Cups.

William Troost-Ekong remains one of Nigeria’s most respected defenders in recent years. The former Watford FC centre-back captained the Super Eagles at several major tournaments and was named Player of the Tournament at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.

Egyptian goalkeeping legend Essam El Hadary is widely regarded as one of Africa’s greatest goalkeepers after winning four AFCON titles with Egypt national football team. He also became the oldest player to appear at a FIFA World Cup when he featured at the 2018 tournament in Russia at the age of 45.

Meanwhile, Trésor Mputu earned legendary status with helping the Congolese club win multiple continental titles and reach the final of the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup — a historic achievement for African club football.

CAF said the involvement of the four football icons reflects the organisation’s commitment to celebrating African football heritage as the continent prepares for another landmark edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.