The Confederation of African Football has confirmed that four African football legends will assist with the draw for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifiers in Cairo on Tuesday.
Former Côte d’Ivoire winger Max-Alain Gradel, Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong, Egyptian goalkeeping great Essam El Hadary and DR Congo playmaker Trésor Mputu will take part in the ceremony at the headquarters of the Egyptian Football Association.
CAF said the draw will begin at 3pm local time in Cairo, equivalent to 12pm GMT, and will be broadcast live on CAF TV.
The qualification campaign will shape the field for the historic 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania from June 19 to July 17, 2027. It will mark the first time the tournament has been staged by three countries and the first return of the finals to East Africa in 51 years.
CAF confirmed that the remaining 48 nations in the qualifiers will be placed into 12 groups, with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the finals. Although the three host nations have already secured qualification automatically, they will still participate in the qualifiers, meaning one additional team from each of their groups will qualify for the tournament.
The four legends selected for the ceremony all have deep ties to the Africa Cup of Nations.
Gradel won the continental title twice with Côte d’Ivoire, lifting the trophy in 2015 and again in 2023 after a long international career that also included appearances at FIFA World Cups. At club level, he became well known for spells in England, France and Turkey, particularly with AS Saint-Étienne.
Troost-Ekong established himself as one of Nigeria’s key defenders across multiple AFCON tournaments and FIFA World Cups. The centre-back captained the Super Eagles and was named Player of the Tournament at the 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire.
El Hadary remains one of the continent’s most decorated players after winning four AFCON titles with Egypt, including three in a row between 2006 and 2010. He also became the oldest player to appear at a FIFA World Cup when he featured at the 2018 tournament aged 45.
Mputu, regarded as one of DR Congo’s finest playmakers, built his reputation with TP Mazembe, helping the club win multiple continental titles and reach the final of the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup. He also inspired DR Congo to victory at the 2009 African Nations Championship.
