Former Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong has expressed excitement ahead of the highly anticipated showdown between Ghana and Ivory Coast in the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Following Tuesday’s draw ceremony in Cairo, Ghana and Ivory Coast were placed in Group C alongside Gambia and Somalia.
The fixture between the two West African football powerhouses is already being tipped as one of the standout matches of the qualification campaign, with both nations expected to battle for top spot in the group.
Speaking to CAF Media after the draw, Troost-Ekong said he is eager to see how the group develops, particularly the rivalry between Ghana and Ivory Coast.
“I’m really excited now to see the draw for the qualification groups. I think for Nigeria, we have seen some teams that we have faced many times before, like Tanzania, Madagascar, and Guinea-Bissau,” Troost-Ekong said.
“But also, I think we have some tough groups. I’m looking forward to seeing how Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana do against Gambia and Somalia.
“Overall, I think it’s going to be exciting and a great run-up to the tournament in 2027,” he added.
The opening two match windows for the AFCON 2027 qualifiers are scheduled to take place between September 21 and October 6, 2026, as teams begin their quest for a place at the continental tournament.
