Black Stars goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi has expressed confidence that Ghana will secure qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) despite the team’s disappointment at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ghana’s elimination from the ongoing World Cup in North America has shifted the team’s focus to their next major assignment — the AFCON qualifiers, which are scheduled to begin in September.
Ati-Zigi believes the current Black Stars squad has the quality, hunger and determination needed to secure a place at the tournament, which will be hosted jointly by Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.
Speaking in an interview with Sporty FM, the St. Gallen goalkeeper backed the team’s chances of overcoming the qualifying challenge.
“If you look at the players we have, I think we have what it takes to qualify for the AFCON next year. These are young and hungry players,” Ati-Zigi said.
The experienced goalkeeper also believes Ghana can go beyond qualification and compete strongly at the tournament, insisting that the team has the ability to make a significant impact on the continental stage.
“I believe we can make a statement with what we have as a group in the AFCON next year,” he added.
The Black Stars have been drawn in Group C for the qualifiers alongside Ivory Coast, The Gambia and Somalia.
Ghana will be eager to return to the AFCON after missing the previous edition staged in Morocco, ending the country’s long-standing streak of consecutive appearances at the continental tournament.
