The AFCON 2027 qualifying draw took place on Tuesday 19 May 2026 at the Egyptian Football Association headquarters in Cairo. Tanzania — as co-hosts — were placed in Group L alongside Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar. The draw sets up one of the most intriguing qualifying groups of the entire campaign, with familiar rivalries, historic upsets and the unique dynamic of a guaranteed host nation in the mix. This is your complete guide to Group L.
AFCON 2027 Group L — The Draw
| Team | FIFA Ranking | AFCON titles | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇳🇬 Nigeria | Top 5 Africa | 3 (1980, 1994, 2013) | Qualifying |
| 🇹🇿 Tanzania | ~130 world | 0 | ✅ Automatic — co-host |
| 🇬🇼 Guinea-Bissau | ~95 world | 0 | Qualifying |
| 🇲🇬 Madagascar | ~104 world | 0 | Qualifying |
As co-hosts, Tanzania will automatically qualify from Group L regardless of their final position, leaving only one qualification slot available for the remaining three teams in the group. This makes Group L uniquely high stakes for Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar — only one of them goes to the tournament.
Qualifying Schedule — Group L Fixtures
The qualifying matches will begin between September 21 and October 6, 2026 — Matchdays 1 and 2. Matchdays 3 and 4 are scheduled for November 9 to 17, 2026. The final two rounds of matches — Matchdays 5 and 6 — take place from March 22 to 30, 2027.
| Matchday | Window | Fixtures (TBC) |
|---|---|---|
| Matchday 1 & 2 | 21 Sep – 6 Oct 2026 | All four teams play home and away |
| Matchday 3 & 4 | 9–17 Nov 2026 | Second round of fixtures |
| Matchday 5 & 6 | 22–30 Mar 2027 | Final qualifying matches |
Specific fixture dates and kick-off times will be confirmed by CAF when the qualifying schedule is published. Tanzania’s home qualifying matches will be played at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam — giving Taifa Stars an extraordinary home advantage for the qualifiers.
The Qualification Format
Each team plays home and away against the other three teams in their group — six matches total. The teams ranked first and second in each group qualify directly for the AFCON 2027 finals. With Tanzania already guaranteed their place as hosts, only the team that finishes second in Group L earns the automatic qualifying berth. The pressure on Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar to finish ahead of each other is therefore immense — essentially a three-team battle for one spot.
Team Profiles
🇳🇬 Nigeria — Super Eagles
Nigeria are the dominant force in Group L and the heavy favourites to claim the qualifying spot. Three-time AFCON champions — 1980, 1994 and 2013 — the Super Eagles have one of the most talented squads in African football and finished third at AFCON 2025 in Morocco, defeating Egypt on penalties to claim the bronze medal.
Key players:
- Victor Osimhen — Galatasaray striker, one of the best forwards in the world. The focal point of Nigeria’s attack and capable of winning matches alone.
- Ademola Lookman — explosive winger, AFCON 2023 final hat-trick scorer. Devastating on his day.
- Samuel Chukwueze — Fulham winger, pace and directness. One of Nigeria’s most reliable wide options.
- Calvin Bassey — Fulham centre-back, the only Nigerian player to have completed every minute of recent World Cup qualifiers. Arrives consistently in form.
- William Troost-Ekong — captain, experienced centre-back, tournament leader.
- Alex Iwobi — Fulham midfielder, creativity and work rate. Key to Nigeria’s build-up play.
Head-to-head vs Tanzania: Nigeria faced Tanzania in their opening group game at AFCON 2025 in Morocco, securing a 2–1 victory. Nigeria also shared a qualifying group with Tanzania in the race to the 2017 AFCON.
Head-to-head vs Guinea-Bissau: Nigeria faced Guinea-Bissau in the group stage of the 2021 AFCON. They were again drawn together during the qualifiers and group phase of the 2023 edition in Côte d’Ivoire, with Guinea-Bissau claiming a famous win in Abuja before Nigeria hit back to take maximum points in Bissau.
Head-to-head vs Madagascar: Madagascar handed Nigeria a 2–0 defeat in the group stage of the 2019 AFCON — one of the great upsets in recent tournament history. Nigeria swept Madagascar home and away during the 2012 AFCON qualifying campaign.
Verdict: Nigeria are the clear group favourites. Their squad depth, European-based talent and AFCON experience make them the dominant side. The only realistic threat to their qualifying campaign is complacency — which has cost the Super Eagles before.
🇹🇿 Tanzania — Taifa Stars
Tanzania enter Group L in a unique position — already guaranteed their place at AFCON 2027 as co-hosts, but still required to participate in qualifying. For Taifa Stars, the qualifying campaign serves as tournament preparation rather than a survival mission. Every match is an opportunity to build form, cohesion and momentum ahead of hosting the continent on home soil.
Tanzania’s growing football profile and home support could make them dangerous opponents during the qualifiers, especially in Dar es Salaam.
Key players:
- Simon Msuva — Tanzania’s most decisive forward in recent campaigns. Msuva’s goal against Guinea on 19 November 2024 secured Tanzania’s place at AFCON 2025.
- Paston Mnoga — eligible to represent both England and Tanzania. He chose Tanzania, making his debut in 2022 and started all three group stage matches at AFCON 2023.
- Cyprian Kachwele — MLS Next Pro defender who earned his first Taifa Stars call-up in 2024 and debuted in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers against Guinea.
Coach: In February 2026 Tanzania’s Ministry of Sports extended Miguel Ángel Gamondi’s contract. The Argentinian coach has been assembling squads with a balanced blend of experienced foreign-based professionals and standout domestic performers.
Verdict: Tanzania’s qualifying matches are dress rehearsals for AFCON 2027. Gamondi will use the campaign to test his best XI against quality opposition — particularly Nigeria — and build the team identity needed to compete at home in June 2027. A win over Guinea-Bissau or Madagascar in the qualifiers would be a significant confidence boost.
🇬🇼 Guinea-Bissau — Djurtus
Guinea-Bissau are one of African football’s most improved nations over the past decade. A squad built predominantly on Portuguese-based players and diaspora talent, the Djurtus have punched consistently above their weight in recent AFCON campaigns and represent the most dangerous threat to Nigeria’s automatic qualifying spot in Group L.
Guinea-Bissau have become a familiar foe for Nigeria in recent years. Both sides clashed in the group stage of the 2021 AFCON, the qualifiers for the 2023 edition and the group phase of the tournament in Côte d’Ivoire. Guinea-Bissau earned a reputation as a disciplined and difficult side to break down — they claimed a famous win in Abuja during the 2023 qualifying campaign.
AFCON record: Appeared at AFCON 2017, 2021 and 2023. Each appearance has seen them grow more competitive — they reached the Round of 16 at AFCON 2021. They are no longer a surprise package.
Key strength: Organised, disciplined, difficult to break down. Strong collective shape over individual brilliance. Their Portuguese football connections give them tactical sophistication beyond what their FIFA ranking suggests.
Verdict: Guinea-Bissau are Nigeria’s most dangerous challenger in Group L. They have beaten Nigeria in a qualifier before and are capable of doing so again. If they can take points from Nigeria and beat Madagascar, the qualifying spot is genuinely within reach.
🇲🇬 Madagascar — Barea
Madagascar are African football’s greatest underdog story of the modern era. Madagascar famously stunned Nigeria 2–0 during the group stage of the 2019 AFCON in their maiden appearance at the tournament. They went on to reach the quarter-finals — a run that captured the imagination of the entire continent.
Madagascar remain one of African football’s most unpredictable sides. The island nation stunned the continent during the 2019 AFCON when they reached the quarter-finals in their maiden appearance, defeating more fancied teams along the way.
FIFA Ranking: ~104 — the lowest ranked team in Group L but rankings tell only part of the story for Madagascar.
AFCON record: First appeared at AFCON 2019 — quarter-finals on debut. Did not qualify for 2021. Returned at AFCON 2023.
Key strength: Unpredictability and a team that performs beyond expectations in tournament football. The 2019 quarter-final run proved they can beat anyone on a given day.
Verdict: Madagascar are the group underdogs but they are dangerous. A repeat of their 2019 shock against Nigeria is possible — it has happened before. They will likely finish third or fourth but cannot be dismissed as certain bottom-place finishers.
The Real Battle — Who Gets the Qualifying Spot?
With Tanzania guaranteed their place, the Group L qualifying narrative is really a three-team contest between Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar for a single AFCON 2027 berth.
| Team | Chance of qualifying | Key factor |
|---|---|---|
| 🇳🇬 Nigeria | 🟢 Very High — 85% | Squad quality and depth |
| 🇬🇼 Guinea-Bissau | 🟡 Moderate — 10% | Organisation and upsets |
| 🇲🇬 Madagascar | 🔴 Low — 5% | Unpredictability — but unlikely |
Tanzania vs Nigeria — The Match That Everyone Wants to See
The qualifying fixture between Tanzania and Nigeria at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam will be one of the most anticipated matches in Tanzanian football history. Nigeria faced Tanzania in their opening group game at AFCON 2025 in Morocco, securing a 2–1 victory. Tanzania will be determined to reverse that result at home.
60,000 fans at a sold-out Mkapa Stadium. Taifa Stars against the Super Eagles. Tanzania’s biggest football moment in decades. For Nigeria, it is three points in qualifying. For Tanzania, it is a statement to the continent ahead of AFCON 2027.
This match — whenever CAF confirms the exact date in the qualifying windows — will be the most in-demand ticket in Tanzanian football since independence.
All AFCON 2027 Qualifying Groups
The full AFCON 2027 qualifying groups drawn in Cairo:
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| Group A | Morocco 🇲🇦, Gabon 🇬🇦, Niger 🇳🇪, Lesotho 🇱🇸 |
| Group B | Egypt 🇪🇬, Angola 🇦🇴, Malawi 🇲🇼, South Sudan 🇸🇸 |
| Group C | Côte d’Ivoire 🇨🇮, Ghana 🇬🇭, Gambia 🇬🇲, Somalia 🇸🇴 |
| Group D | South Africa 🇿🇦, Guinea 🇬🇳, Kenya 🇰🇪, Eritrea 🇪🇷 |
| Group E | DR Congo 🇨🇩, Equatorial Guinea 🇬🇶, Sierra Leone 🇸🇱, Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 |
| Group F | Burkina Faso 🇧🇫, Benin 🇧🇯, Mauritania 🇲🇷, Central African Republic 🇨🇫 |
| Group G | Cameroon 🇨🇲, Comoros 🇰🇲, Namibia 🇳🇦, Congo 🇨🇬 |
| Group H | Tunisia 🇹🇳, Uganda 🇺🇬, Libya 🇱🇾, Botswana 🇧🇼 |
| Group I | Algeria 🇩🇿, Zambia 🇿🇲, Togo 🇹🇬, Burundi 🇧🇮 |
| Group J | Senegal 🇸🇳, Mozambique 🇲🇿, Sudan 🇸🇩, Ethiopia 🇪🇹 |
| Group K | Mali 🇲🇱, Cape Verde 🇨🇻, Rwanda 🇷🇼, Liberia 🇱🇷 |
| Group L 🇹🇿 | Nigeria 🇳🇬, Tanzania 🇹🇿, Guinea-Bissau 🇬🇼, Madagascar 🇲🇬 |
For Fans Travelling to Tanzania
Tanzania’s qualifying home matches at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium will be among the most sought-after tickets in Dar es Salaam before the tournament even begins. These are competitive CAF matches — not friendlies — played at the same venue that will host AFCON 2027 opening matches and knockout rounds.
For ticket information on AFCON 2027 tournament matches visit our complete ticket guide. For the full AFCON 2027 fixture schedule visit our fixtures page. For Taifa Stars squad information and Tanzania’s road to the tournament visit our Taifa Stars guide. For Benjamin Mkapa Stadium information and match day transport visit our Dar es Salaam city guide.
Group draw information sourced from CAF official website and confirmed by multiple verified African football news sources. Draw took place 19 May 2026 in Cairo, Egypt. Qualifying match dates to be confirmed by CAF.