The AFCON 2027 qualifiers draw has placed South Africa in Group D with Kenya (coached by Benni McCarthy), Guinea and Eritrea, setting up an emotional reunion for Bafana Bafana in Bafana AFCON 2027 qualifiers McCarthy 2026.
The road to AFCON 2027 has begun to take shape, with several intriguing storylines emerging immediately from the qualifying draw. For South Africa, the campaign offers both opportunity and familiarity, as they prepare to navigate a group featuring a blend of regional rivals and unique challenges.
Among the most compelling narratives is the prospect of facing a side led by Benni McCarthy, one of the most influential figures in South African football history. As preparations begin, South Africa (6.40) will be aware that qualification campaigns are rarely straightforward, particularly when emotion, history, and high expectations become part of the equation.
McCarthy And Bafana Set For An Emotional Reunion
The standout storyline from Tuesday’s draw centres firmly on Group D and one familiar name. Benni McCarthy, South Africa’s all-time leading scorer with 31 international goals, now coaches the co-hosts Kenya. His side will face the very nation whose goalscoring record he still holds to this day.
It is the first time McCarthy will square up against Bafana Bafana in a head coaching capacity. South Africa earned a place in Pot 1 for the draw, reflecting their standing among the continent’s leading nations.
That seeding kept them away from heavyweights such as Morocco, Senegal and Egypt during the group stage. Nevertheless, Guinea represents a genuine threat in Group D, while Eritrea add further unpredictability to the pool.
Co-Hosts Already Through, Format Explained
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania all hold automatic berths at the finals as co-hosts of the 2027 tournament. Their presence in qualifying groups, however, means only one additional team advances from those particular pools. In Group D, that reality works in South Africa’s favour, as Kenya’s results carry no qualifying weight. The top two teams in each of the remaining 11 groups will advance normally to the 24-team finals.
A total of 24 nations from the 48 competing will ultimately book their places at the East African showpiece. Qualifying matches begin across three international windows, starting between 21 September and 6 October 2026. Match-days three and four follow in November, with the final round concluding between 22 and 30 March 2027.
Notable Groups Across The Continent
Beyond Group D, the draw produced several compelling match-ups worth monitoring across the qualifying campaign. Holders Morocco headline Group A and face Gabon, Niger and Lesotho in what looks like a straightforward path to the finals.
Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana land together in Group C alongside The Gambia and Somalia, reviving memories of the 2015 AFCON final between those two West African giants. Egypt face Angola, Malawi and South Sudan in Group B, requiring two trips into Southern Africa during the campaign.
Cameroon, who missed the 2026 World Cup, drop into Group G alongside Comoros, Namibia and Congo. They will want to make a strong statement after the disappointment of failing to qualify for North America. Senegal, meanwhile, faces Mozambique, Sudan and Ethiopia in what looks like a comfortable group on paper.
Bafana Eye World Cup First, Then AFCON Challenge
South Africa head into the qualifying campaign carrying considerable confidence after recent progress under coach Hugo Broos. The national side returns to the FIFA World Cup next month for the first time in 16 years, competing in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
That experience is expected to sharpen the squad ahead of the AFCON qualifying windows later in 2026. Broos is due to announce his World Cup squad on 27 May, keeping the immediate focus firmly on the global stage.
Meanwhile, the AFCON qualifying draw gives South Africa a clear and manageable roadmap toward East Africa. Guinea will demand respect, and the McCarthy reunion will carry a genuine emotional charge on both sides. However, South Africa’s seeding and recent form suggest they are well placed to advance from Group D with room to spare.
What Does Bafana’s AFCON 2027 Qualifying Draw Mean for 2026?
- Favourable Group: Bafana AFCON 2027 qualifiers McCarthy 2026 places South Africa in a manageable Group D, boosting outright qualification and group winner betting odds.
- Emotional Narrative: Reunion with Benni McCarthy adds intrigue, increasing betting volume on head-to-head and anytime goalscorer markets.
- World Cup Momentum: Strong recent form and World Cup participation could enhance Bafana’s confidence and long-term AFCON futures.
- Betting Opportunities: Clear path to qualification creates value in advancement props and next-round performance lines.
CAF Afcon 2027 Qualifiers Draw
Group A: Morocco, Gabon, Niger, Lesotho
Group B: Egypt, Angola, Malawi, South Sudan
Group C: Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, The 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
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