Super Eagles to Know AFCON 2027 Qualifying Opponents Tuesday

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will discover their opponents for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Tuesday, May 19, when the Confederation of African Football holds the official draw in Cairo.

The draw will determine the grouping for 48 teams, including the three co-hosts of the 2027 tournament — Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania — who have automatically qualified. Teams will be drawn into 12 groups of four, with the top two from each group advancing to the final tournament.

The qualifiers are scheduled to be played across three FIFA international windows in September, October, and November 2026. The final tournament itself runs from June 19 to July 17, 2027, across the three East African nations.

Nigeria finished third at AFCON 2025 in Morocco, continuing a pattern of near-misses that has frustrated fans. The Super Eagles have not won the continental tournament since 2013, despite boasting what many consider a golden generation of players.

Coach Eric Chelle’s side will be among the seeded teams for the draw, offering some protection against facing the continent’s top-ranked sides in the group stage. The NFF has been working to rebuild the squad’s aspirations after a disappointing World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign that saw Nigeria fail to reach the tournament in the Americas.

The qualifying format means that even strong teams cannot afford complacency. With only two spots available per group, a single bad result could derail a campaign. For Nigeria, the road to AFCON 2027 represents both an opportunity for redemption and a chance to restore pride after missing out on the World Cup.

Fans across Nigeria will be watching Tuesday’s draw with keen interest, hoping for a manageable group that sets the Super Eagles on a clear path to the 2027 finals.

Sources: Complete Sports, The Nation, Punch, CAF