Nigeria have been drawn in Group L of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, where they will face Madagascar, co-hosts Tanzania and Guinea- Bissau for a place at the tournament.

Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will host the tournament from June 19 to July 17, 2027.

The draw was conducted at the headquarters of the Egyptian Football Association in Cairo on Tuesday, with former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong serving as one of the draw assistants.

A total of 48 teams will participate in the qualifiers, with the draw producing 12 groups and 24 teams qualifying for the finals.

Nigeria were drawn from Pot 1 and handed a relatively favourable path to the tournament.

However, due to the presence of Tanzania — who have qualified automatically as co-hosts — in the group, only the top team will qualify for the finals.

The same applies to other groups containing any of the co-hosts, while the top two teams from the remaining groups will qualify.

• Pep Guardiola , Manchester City

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has firmly rejected speculation that he is planning to leave the club at the end of the season, insisting he remains fully committed to his role at the Etihad Stadium.

Since arriving at Manchester City in 2016, Guardiola has delivered an era of unprecedented success, winning six Premier League titles, the Champions League, three FA Cups, and five League Cups.

His tenure has transformed the club into one of the most dominant forces in world football.

The Spaniard moved quickly to quell growing rumours during his pre-match press conference ahead of Tuesday’s Premier League clash against Bournemouth.

Recent reports had suggested that Manchester City were already making internal preparations for life after Guardiola, with former assistant Enzo Maresca emerging as a leading candidate to replace him.

However, Guardiola, who still has one year left on his current contract, appeared unfazed by the claims.

“So many times, I have one more year,” he said when asked about his future. “I am here, I have a contract.”

He also dismissed suggestions that the remaining fixtures could serve as a farewell tour, and laughed off reports that the club might name the newly expanded North Stand after him if he departs this summer.

Manchester City coach, Pep Guardiola, is set to leave the English Premier League club at the end of the season.

The Spanish coach will leave the Blue side of Manchester after 10 years in charge of the club.

He leaves with one year left on his current contract that was set to end in 2027.

According to reports, Guardiola will take charge of the Cityzens’ final two Premier League fixtures against Bournemouth and Aston Villa before ending his highly successful decade at the club.

Guardiola won 20 trophies at Man City to become the club’s most successful manager, leading the club to six EPL titles, including four in a row to become the first manager to ever achieve the feat.

The former Barcelona player and coach won the elusive UEFA Champions League for the club, the first in its history.

He also led the Etihad-backed club to a treble of EPL, UCL, and FA Cup titles for the first time in the club’s history in 2023.

Source: Daily Trust