Cairo, Egypt: Uganda have been drawn against Tunisia, Libya and Botswana in Group H of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) PAMOJA 2027 qualifiers following Tuesday’s draw in Cairo, Egypt.
The draw places the Cranes against experienced North African opposition (Tunisia and Libya) and competitive Southern African challengers (Botswana) ahead of the historic continental tournament that Uganda will co-host alongside Kenya and Tanzania.
The 2027 AFCON is scheduled to run from June 19 to July 17, 2027, marking the first time in history that the competition will be jointly hosted by three countries.
As one of the host nations, Uganda have already secured automatic qualification for the finals. However, the Cranes will still participate in the qualifiers, with only one additional team from Group H advancing to the tournament.
The qualifying matches will be played on a home-and-away basis across six matchdays during FIFA international windows between September 2026 and March 2027.
CAF confirmed that Matchdays One and Two will take place between the first international break of September 21 and October 6, 2026, while Matchdays Three and Four are scheduled for November 9 to 17, 2026. The final two rounds of fixtures will be played between March 22 and 30, 2027.
Although Uganda’s place at the finals is already guaranteed, the qualifiers are expected to serve as a major preparation platform for head coach Paul Put and his squad ahead of hosting the continent’s biggest football tournament on home soil.
Tunisia are expected to provide the toughest challenge in the group. The North Africans remain one of Africa’s most experienced football nations, having featured at multiple FIFA World Cups and AFCON tournaments.
Libya also present a familiar but tricky test for Uganda, especially given the North Africans’ tactical style and physical approach, while Botswana’s growing competitiveness in recent years makes them another side to watch closely.
The draw comes as Uganda continues preparations for both the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) and the 2027 AFCON, with ongoing infrastructure developments and stadium upgrades across the country.
Elsewhere in the draw, East African rivals Kenya were placed in Group D alongside South Africa, Guinea and Eritrea, while Tanzania landed in Group L with Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
Somalia face a daunting challenge in Group C against Ivory Coast, Ghana and The Gambia, while Sudan and Ethiopia were grouped with Senegal and Mozambique in Group J.
The draw ceremony was conducted by former African football stars including Ivory Coast’s Max-Alain Gradel, Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong, Egyptian goalkeeping legend Essam El Hadary and DR Congo icon Trésor Mputu.
A total of 48 nations have been divided into 12 groups, with teams battling for qualification to the expanded continental showpiece.
Full AFCON 2027 Qualifier Draw
Group A: Morocco, Gabon, Niger, Lesotho
Group B: Egypt, Angola, Malawi, South Sudan
Group C: Ivory Coast, 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, Madagascar, Tanzania, Guinea-Bissau
The 2027 AFCON is expected to become one of the biggest sporting events ever hosted in East Africa, with Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania already intensifying preparations for the historic tournament.
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