Former Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong says he is eagerly anticipating the highly anticipated clashes between Ghana and Ivory Coast after both nations were drawn in Group C of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The draw, held in Cairo on Tuesday, placed Ghana and Ivory Coast alongside Gambia and Somalia in what is already being described as one of the most competitive groups of the campaign.
The Ghana–Ivory Coast pairing stands out as a major highlight, with both West African giants regarded among the strongest sides on the continent.
Speaking to CAF Media after the draw, Troost-Ekong shared his excitement about the group and the quality of matchups it presents.
“I’m really excited now to see the draw for the qualification 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 said.
The former Super Eagles defender noted that while Nigeria also face familiar opponents, the broader qualifying campaign promises intense competition across all groups.
Attention will now shift to the start of the qualifiers, with the opening fixtures scheduled for September 2026.
The Ghana–Ivory Coast encounters are expected to attract significant attention, with many viewing them as potential decisive fixtures in the race for qualification to AFCON 2027.
