Coaches yarn about Afcon 2027 Qualifier draw

Coaches from all over Africa don yarn their minds after the draw for TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifier wey happen on Tuesday. The 48 teams don know who dem go face for the road to the finals wey go hold for Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania from 17 June to 19 July 2027.

Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi talk say dem know Gabon, Niger and Lesotho well. He say e be advantage to face teams wey dem dey familiar with. He talk say Gabon be highly competitive team wey sabi be formidable because of their players. For Niger, Ouahbi get personal affection because dem go meet Badou Zaki, wey be legend for Morocco. He warn say Lesotho don prove say dem must respect everybody, as dem dey grow with Moroccan coach wey make dem proud. He say after World Cup, dem go shift focus to Afcon, and winning am be one of their main objectives.

Cameroon coach David Pagou describe their group with Comoros, Namibia and Congo as balanced. He say whenever Cameroon focus on itself, things dey go well. He warn say no dey call any team ‘minnows’ again because all teams dey level playing field. Namibia don cause problems for Cameroon for three consecutive qualifiers. Congo no be pushover. He say every nation go get extra incentive to play against Cameroon.

Namibia coach Collin Benjamin say e be good draw. He admit say Cameroon be powerhouse, but their statistics against dem look good on paper. Comoros dey do well with players for Europe, and Congo get athletic players. He say focus go be on preparation, discipline and hard work. Dem believe for their quality and ability to compete.

Gambia coach Johnathan McKinstry say Ivory Coast and Ghana be elite teams wey go represent Africa for World Cup. But Gambia players dey rise to occasion when dem face top teams. Dem play Ivory Coast 12 months ago and almost get result, with their goalkeeper winning Man of the Match. Dem also show quality for Senegal and beat Tunisia for Tunis. He say objective na to qualify for Afcon 2027. He warn say any team wey come Banjul go face difficult environment.

Malawi coach Kalisto Pasuwa say e be fair draw. Dem last play Egypt long time and plenty don change. He call for unity and collective effort to avoid infighting.

Zambia coach George Lwandamina say team wey prepare well go pose threat. He say dem get players wey fit compete, but preparation key. He urge all Zambians to rally behind the team, as dem get only one Zambia.