Troost-Ekong To Assist AFCON 2027 Qualifiers Draw As CAF Confirms Legends Lineup

Former captain of the Super Eagles, William Troost-Ekong, will be in the spotlight later today, May 19, after his selection as one of the assistants for the qualification draw of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) revealed the defender's inclusion on Monday, along with Max-Alain Gradel, Essam El Hadary, and Trésor Mputu.

CAF stated, “African legends on draw duty.”
“Here are the assistants for tomorrow’s AFCON 2027 Qualifiers Draw: Max-Alain Gradel, William Troost-Ekong, Essam El Hadary, and Trésor Mputu.”

This event will determine Nigeria’s pathway to qualify for the AFCON tournament, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The theme for this year's edition is PAMOJA 2027, translating to “together” in Swahili, which signifies the unity of the three East African nations.

Forty-eight teams will be divided into 12 groups of four. Only the leading two teams from each group will earn a spot in the finals.

Nigeria’s performance will be closely monitored, considering their second and third-place finishes in the previous two tournaments. There are high hopes for the team to generate early momentum and achieve a smooth journey to the finals.

The qualification series, consisting of six matches, will occur during three FIFA international windows between 2026 and 2027. This extended timeline emphasizes the importance of having a deep squad, maintaining fitness, and upholding consistency across an extended period of competitive play.

The 2027 tournament will signify AFCON’s return to East Africa, which has not hosted the event since 1976. Competing across multiple host nations and adapting to different playing conditions is anticipated to challenge teams both on the field and beyond.