The race for places at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations is taking shape as 48 teams continue to compete across 12 groups in the qualifying series.
After the first three matches, Morocco, Ivory Coast, DR Congo and Mali have established themselves as group leaders with maximum points, while several other groups have tight contests for the top positions.
The top two teams in each of the 12 groups will qualify for the expanded 24-team tournament, scheduled to hold from June 19 to July 17, 2027.
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania have automatically qualified as co-hosts. This means that in Groups D, H and L, only the highest-placed team among the other three nations will qualify.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles occupy second place in Group L with six points, one behind leaders Guinea-Bissau, who have seven points.
The Eagles began their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Madagascar in Uyo but suffered a 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in their second match.
They returned to winning ways with a 3-1 victory over Tanzania in Uyo, taking their points tally to six from three matches.
However, to qualify, the Eagles will need to finish ahead of Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar in the group standings, given that Tanzania, as a co-host, have automatic qualification.
Below are the top two teams in each group after three matches:
Group A
Morocco – 9 points
Gabon – 6 points
Egypt – 7 points
Angola – 7 points
Group C
Ivory Coast – 9 points
The Gambia – 6 points
Group D
South Africa – 7 points
Guinea – 6 points
Group E
DR Congo – 9 points
Zimbabwe – 4 points
Group F
Benin – 7 points
Burkina Faso – 7 points
Group G
Cameroon – 7 points
Comoros – 4 points
Group H
Uganda – 5 points
Libya – 4 points
Group I
Algeria – 7 points
Zambia – 4 points
Group J
Senegal – 7 points
Mozambique – 6 points
Group K
Mali – 9 points
Rwanda – 6 points
Group L
Guinea-Bissau – 7 points
Nigeria – 6 points
