Namibia coach upbeat after 2027 AFCON qualifying draw

Alsharq Tribune-M.Essam 

Namibia head coach Collin Benjamin expressed optimism on Tuesday after the draw for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers placed his side in Group G alongside Cameroon, Comoros and Congo Brazzaville.

The draw, held in Cairo, saw 48 nations divided into 12 groups of four teams each.

"It's a good draw, and we are drawn against good teams. Cameroon is a powerhouse in African football, but our statistics against them look good on paper," Benjamin said.

"Comoros recently participated in the 2025 AFCON held in Morocco, and they have been doing well, with most of their players playing in Europe. Congo Brazzaville has athletic players, and we are looking forward to playing them in September," he added.

Benjamin stressed the importance of preparation and maintaining confidence within the squad ahead of the qualifiers.

"For us, the focus will be on preparation, discipline, and hard work. Every team at this stage deserves respect, but we also believe in our own quality and ability to compete," he said.

The top two teams from each group will qualify automatically for the finals, while groups containing one of the co-host nations will see one additional team advance.

The 2027 AFCON tournament will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in June 2027.