CAF Ambassador and Ivorian football legend Max Gradel has expressed a mix of weariness and confidence following the AFCON 2027 qualifying draw in Cairo on Tuesday.
Reacting to Côte d’Ivoire being placed in Group C alongside long-time rivals Ghana, the former captain questioned the recurring nature of the fixture, famously asking, "Why always us?"
The draw, held at the CAF headquarters, placed the 2023 African champions into what is widely regarded as the qualifying cycle's "Group of Death."
Alongside the two West African giants, Group C includes a resilient Gambia side and Somalia.
Gradel, who retired from international duty in March 2024 after leading the Elephants to their third continental title, assisted with the ceremony but quickly noted the difficult path ahead for his compatriots.
"I have one question: why always us?" Gradel remarked shortly after the groups were finalized. "Because this group is a difficult group, but we are used to it. So I believe that we will do everything we can to qualify. I believe in the team, so there is no problem. But this group is still a difficult one."
His comments highlight the storied history between Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, who have met in two AFCON finals.
The qualification journey is set to begin in late 2026, with the opening matchdays scheduled between September 21 and October 6.
This will be followed by a heavy window in November before the final deciding matches in March 2027.
The successful teams from Group C will join the rest of the continent for the historic 36th edition of the tournament, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania in the summer of 2027.
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