Draws for AFCON 2027 qualifiers hold on Tuesday with African legends
African legends Max-Alain Gradel, William Troost-Ekong, Essam El Hadary and Trésor Mputu will assist with the Qualification Draw for the historic CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) PAMOJA 2027, which will be staged in Cairo, Egypt, on Tuesday, 19 May.
The Qualification Draw will take place at the headquarters of the Egyptian Football Association from 15h00 local time (12h00 GMT) and will be live on CAF TV.
The CAF AFCON PAMOJA 2027 will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, and will be played from 19 June to 17 July 2027. It is the first time three nations have co-hosted the Competition, and it marks a return to East Africa for the continental finals after a 51-year absence.
The 48 teams remaining in the qualifiers will be drawn into 12 groups, with the top two in each pool advancing to the continental finals. Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will take part in the qualifiers but have secured their places as co-hosts, so one team from their pool will join them.
Assisting with the ceremony are four of the most iconic names in African Football, each with their own special history with the CAF AFCON.
Max-Alain Gradel (Côte d’Ivoire)
Max-Alain Gradel built a reputation as one of African football’s most influential wide forwards, combining technical skill, leadership and longevity at the highest level.
Born in Côte d’Ivoire, he enjoyed a distinguished club career in England, France and Turkey, most notably with AS Saint-Étienne, where he became a fan favourite for his pace, directness and eye for goal. His consistency over more than a decade in top-level football made him one of the continent’s most respected attacking players.
He represented The Elephants at multiple CAF AFCON tournaments and FIFA World Cups, lifting the continental trophy at both the 2015 and 2023 editions.
William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria)
William Troost-Ekong became one of Nigeria’s defining defenders of the modern era, admired for his leadership, composure and reliability at centre-back.
Across spells in Europe and the Middle East, including in Italy and England, he built a career based on strong defensive organisation, earning respect as a consistent performer wherever he played.
For the Nigeria national football team, Troost-Ekong has repeatedly delivered in major tournaments and pressure moments. He played key roles at multiple AFCONs and FIFA World Cups, captaining the side and often stepping up with decisive goals despite being a defender. He was named Player of the Tournament at the CAF AFCON Cote d’Ivoire 2023.
Essam El Hadary (Egypt)
Essam El Hadary is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers African football has ever produced. He enjoyed an extraordinary career spanning more than two decades and became synonymous with success for both club and country.
His international legacy is unmatched for a goalkeeper on the continent. El Hadary won four Africa Cup of Nations titles with Egypt and played a defining role in their historic three successive triumphs between 2006 and 2010. In 2018, at the age of 45, he became the oldest player ever to appear at a FIFA World Cup.
His longevity, medal haul and influence make him one of Africa’s true football icons.
Trésor Mputu (DR Congo)
Trésor Mputu is often described as one of the finest African footballers never to play in Europe, yet his legend was built on dominance at home and across the continent.
A gifted attacking midfielder and playmaker, Mputu became the heartbeat of TP Mazembe during one of the club’s greatest eras, dazzling fans with his vision, technique and creativity.
He helped Mazembe win multiple continental titles, including back-to-back CAF Champions League trophies, and played a major role in their historic run to the final of the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup, where they became the first African side to reach the final.
For DR Congo, Mputu was equally influential, inspiring the team to victory at the CAF African Nations Championship 2009 and earning recognition as one of the continent’s most naturally gifted footballers.
