By Rosemary Ugiomoh
William Troost-Ekong is stepping into the spotlight again, but this time it’s not with a captain’s armband on the pitch.
Today in Cairo, the former Nigeria captain joins three African legends to run the draw for AFCON PAMOJA 2027’s qualification stage. The ceremony happens at the Egyptian Football Association HQ and officially kicks off the road to the first-ever three-nation Africa Cup of Nations.
The event— 48 teams get drawn into 12 qualification groups.
The stakes—The top two from each group book their spot for the finals, joining hosts Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
The timeline—The tournament runs June 19 to July 17, 2027.
Troost-Ekong won’t be alone. He’s joined by Côte d’Ivoire’s Max-Alain Gradel, Egypt’s Essam El Hadary, and DR Congo’s Trésor Mputu. CAF TV will broadcast the whole thing live.
His role in Cairo cements how far his influence has grown beyond club and country duty. After captaining Nigeria to the 2023 AFCON final in Côte d’Ivoire and winning Player of the Tournament, he’s now one of the most recognized leaders in African football.
The former Watford and PAOK defender built that reputation on consistency and composure. Whether it’s AFCON or the World Cup, he’s delivered big moments from defense, including crucial goals when it mattered. His performances earlier this year in Côte d’Ivoire were a big reason Nigeria made it to the final.
AFCON PAMOJA 2027 marks the championship’s return to East Africa for the first time in 51 years. With 48 teams chasing 24 spots, the qualification rounds are set to be brutal.
