2027 AFCON qualifiers: Trésor Mputu labels Ghana, Côte dâ??Ivoire group as â??Group of Deathâ??

DR Congo legend Trésor Mputu has labeled Group C as the "Group of Death" for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Acting as a draw assistant during the high-profile ceremony held on Tuesday in Cairo, the former TP Mazembe star pointed to the inclusion of West African heavyweights Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana as the primary reason for his selection.

The group is rounded out by an unpredictable Gambian side and Somalia, creating a scenario where at least one major powerhouse could face a grueling path to the finals.

The presence of the Black Stars of Ghana in Pot 2 added significant tension to the draw proceedings.

Following their historic failure to qualify for the 2025 edition in Morocco, Ghana entered the 2027 cycle with a point to prove.

Being drawn alongside the 2023 champions, Cote d’Ivoire, sets up a massive regional derby that Mputu believes will define the qualifying stage.

Compounding the difficulty of Group C is the inclusion of The Gambia. The Scorpions have established themselves as a "giant-killer" in recent years, making deep runs in previous tournaments and proving difficult to beat at home.

While Somalia enters as the underdog, the logistical and competitive pressure of facing two former champions and a rising power like Gambia makes Group C the most daunting prospect of the tournament's preliminary phase.

Mputu’s assessment was shared by many pundits in attendance, noting that the stakes are particularly high for this cycle.

The 2027 AFCON will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, and the race to secure one of the two qualifying spots from Group C is expected to be the main highlight of the international break.

With only the top two teams guaranteed a place in East Africa, Mputu’s "Group of Death" tag seems an appropriate warning for the titans involved.

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