By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
Nigeria’s Super Eagles have been handed what many observers consider a favourable draw for the qualifying campaign of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations after being placed in Group L alongside Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania.
The draw ceremony, conducted on Tuesday in Cairo by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), officially kick-started the race to qualify for the continental showpiece which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania under the “PAMOJA 2027” banner.
The Super Eagles, who finished third at the 2025 AFCON after defeating Egypt on penalties in the bronze medal match, are among the top-seeded nations expected to progress comfortably from the group.
Nigeria’s campaign, however, comes with an intriguing twist as Tanzania — one of the tournament’s co-hosts — are also in Group L despite already securing automatic qualification for the finals. CAF regulations require host nations to participate in the qualifiers even after booking automatic tickets.
A total of 48 countries were drawn into 12 groups of four teams each, with qualification matches set to begin during upcoming FIFA international windows later this year.
The 2027 tournament, scheduled for June 19 to July 17, will mark the return of the Africa Cup of Nations to East Africa for the first time in over 50 years. It will also be the first AFCON tournament to be co-hosted by three countries in the region.
With a balanced group and growing optimism around the national team, Nigerians will expect the Super Eagles to secure qualification and continue their push for a fourth continental crown.
