The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has completed its draw for the AFCON 2027 qualifiers, setting the stage for the continental race to the next Africa Cup of Nations, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda under the PAMOJA 2027 banner.
The draw, conducted in Cairo, Egypt, involved all the 48 national teams that will compete across 12 groups of four.
The top two teams from each group will secure qualification for the 2027 AFCON finals. Although Kenya has already booked its place at the tournament as a co-host nation, the Harambee Stars will still take part in the qualifiers.
The 2027 AFCON will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, 2027, marking the first time in history that the continental tournament will be hosted by three nations
Harambee Stars Opponents in AFCON and World Cup experience
Kenya has been drawn in Group D of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers by CAF, a pool that presents a demanding set of fixtures.
Despite already securing a place in the tournament, Kenya still has to participate in qualifier matches as part of the requirements set by CAF.
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In the qualifier matches, Kenya will face South Africa, Guinea, and Eritrea
South Africa won the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations and finished runners-up later. On the global stage, South Africa has also featured in the FIFA World Cup in 2002 and 2010, and hosted the 2010 edition. The country will also participate in the 2026 AFCON co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Guinea has also participated in several Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, producing solid performances and reaching the knockout. The country has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup.
Eritrea is the least experienced opponent in international football history, as it has never qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations and has never appeared at a FIFA World Cup.
The AFCON 2027 qualifiers are structured around 48 national teams divided into 12 groups of four. Each team plays home-and-away matches within the group, with points determining final standings.
At the end of the group stage, the top two teams from each group will qualify directly for the AFCON 2027 finals.
Full AFCON Qualifier Groups
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| A | Morocco, Gabon, Niger, Lesotho |
| B | Egypt, Angola, Malawi, South Sudan |
| C | Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, The Gambia, Somalia |
| D | South Africa, Guinea, Kenya, Eritrea |
| E | DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe |
| F | Burkina Faso, Benin, Mauritania, Central African Republic |
| G | Cameroon, Comoros, Namibia, Congo |
| H | Tunisia, Uganda, Libya, Botswana |
| I | Algeria, Zambia, Togo, Burundi |
| J | Senegal, Mozambique, Sudan, Ethiopia |
| K | Mali, Cape Verde, Rwanda, Liberia |
| L | Nigeria, Madagascar, Tanzania, Guinea-Bissau |
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Harambee Stars Squad
Meanwhile, Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has named the national team squad featuring a mix of foreign-based players, returning stars, and local talents ahead of the international friendlies.
Goalkeepers
- Byrne Omondi — Gor Mahia
- Faruk Shikhalo — St George
- Caleb Kramer — ADO Den Haag
Defenders
- Erick Ouma — AIK
- Stanley Wilson — Wealdstone
- Sylvester Owino — Gor Mahia
- Frank Odhiambo — Gor Mahia
- Alphonce Omija — E.S. Du Sahel
- Deon Woodman — E.S. Du Sahel
- Ronney Onyango — Sogndal
- Sydney Agina — Stoke City
Midfielders
- Richard Odada — FC UTA Arad
- Chris Erambo — Tusker
- Clarke Oduor — Wealdstone
- Will Lenkupae — Unattached
Forwards
- Austine Odhiambo — Nejmeh SC
- Zech Obiero — Leyton Orient
- Job Ochieng — Real Sociedad
- Mohammed Bajabaer — Simba SC
- Ben Stanley — Gor Mahia
- Sammy Hena-Kamau — Hull City
- Micah Obiero — Wealdstone
- Ryan Ogam — Wolfsberger AC
- Lawrence Okoth — SJK Seinäjoki
