Troost-Ekong Cautions AFCON Hopefuls That Away Form Could Be Decisive In Qualification Race

According to Ireporter Online, former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has stressed that away performances will be a major factor in determining which teams qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Troost-Ekong made the remarks following Tuesday’s draw ceremony in Cairo, where he served as one of four assistants at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) event. He noted that teams able to secure results on the road will significantly boost their chances of reaching the finals.

He explained that playing away from home in Africa is always challenging due to varying pitches, environments, and conditions, adding that consistency remains just as important as picking up points on the road.

“Winning away from home is very important if you want to enhance your qualification chances, but consistency throughout the campaign is equally crucial,” he said, as quoted by CAFonline.

He further added that competitive balance across the groups makes the qualifiers highly unpredictable, while expressing excitement ahead of the campaign and the tournament itself.

The qualification series is set to begin during the FIFA international window from 21 September to 6 October 2026, with the opening two matchdays. Matchdays three and four will follow between 9 and 17 November 2026, while the final round of fixtures will be played from 22 to 30 March 2027, when all qualified teams will be confirmed.

The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.