Lawrence Ati-Zigi confident 'quality' Black Stars will qualify for 2027 AFCON

Black Stars goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi has expressed confidence that Ghana will secure qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) despite the team’s recent disappointment at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Ghana’s World Cup campaign in North America came to an end with the team now turning its attention to the upcoming AFCON qualifiers, which are scheduled to begin in September 2026.

Ati-Zigi, who plays for Swiss side St. Gallen, believes the current Black Stars squad has enough quality, hunger and determination to book a place at the continental showpiece, which will be hosted by Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.

“If you look at the players we have, I think we have what it takes to qualify for the AFCON next year. These are young and hungry players,” Ati-Zigi told Sporty FM in an interview.

The experienced goalkeeper also backed the team to make a strong impact at the tournament if they successfully qualify.

“I believe we can make a statement with what we have as a group in the AFCON next year,” he added.

Ghana has been drawn in Group C of the AFCON qualifiers alongside Ivory Coast, Gambia and Somalia.

The Black Stars are determined to return to Africa’s biggest football tournament after missing out on the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, ending a long-standing record of consistent participation in the competition.