CAF selects four African football legends for 2027 AFCON draw duties

Four African legends Max-Alain Gradel, William Troost-Ekong, Essam El Hadary and Trésor Mputu will assist with the Qualification Draw for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) set for Cairo, Egypt on Tuesday, 19 May.

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The quartet, all with storied history will headline the ceremony, which will carve the path for 48 nations, ahead of the 19 June-17 July 2027 tournament that will make history as the first to be co-hosted by three nations: Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

The draw will take place at the headquarters of the Egyptian Football Association from 1500 EAT, will be live on CAF TV.

As per the draw format announced earlier on Sunday, 17 April, all 48 teams remaining in the qualifiers will be drawn into 12 groups, with the top two in each pool advancing to the continental finals.

Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will take part in qualifiers, but have secured their places as co-hosts, so one team from their pool will join them.

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Gradel, an AFCON champion in 2015 and 2023, is recognized as one of African football’s most influential wide forwards, combining technical skill, leadership and longevity at the highest level.

Born in Côte d’Ivoire, he enjoyed a distinguished club career in England, France and Turkey, most notably with AS Saint-Étienne, where he became a fan favourite for his pace, directness and eye for goal.

His consistency over more than a decade in top-level football made him one of the continent’s most respected attacking players, and he represented The Elephants at the biggest stages: multiple AFCON tournaments, and FIFA World Cups.

Ekong, meanwhile,became one of Nigeria’s defining defenders of the modern era, admired for his leadership, composure and reliability at centre-back.

For the Super Eagles, he played key roles at multiple AFCONs and FIFA World Cups, captaining the side and often stepping up with decisive goals, despite being a defender.

He was named Player of the Tournament at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast.

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El Hadary, on the other hand, needs no introduction.

The Egyptian is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers African football, enjoying an extraordinary career spanning more than two decades for both club and country.

His international legacy is unmatched for a goalkeeper on the continent.

El Hadary won four Africa Cup of Nations titles with Egypt, and played a defining role in their historic three successive triumphs between 2006 and 2010.

In 2018, at the age of 45, he became the oldest player ever to appear at a FIFA World Cup.

To close the list is former TP Mazembe midfielder Mputu, who is often described as one of the finest African footballers never to play in Europe, yet his legend is built on dominance at home, and across the continent.

A gifted attacking midfielder and playmaker, Mputu became the heartbeat of TP Mazembe during one of the club’s greatest eras,helping them multiple continental titles, including back-to-back CAF Champions League trophies.

He played a major role in their historic run to the final of the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup, where they became the first African side to reach the final.

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