December 4 – After months of turmoil and tension surrounding the venue for January’s Africa Cup of Nations, the tournament has finally got down to the real business of the draw, throwing up a juicy group of death.
Algeria, the highest-ranked side in the competition who reached the second round of the World Cup, face Senegal, Ghana and South Africa in a potentially thrilling group for all involved.
Equatorial Guinea, who replaced Morocco as hosts when the north African country was stripped for refusing to stage the event because of fears over the Ebola crisis, will play neighbours Gabon along with Congo and Burkina Faso.
Zambia, DR Congo, Cape Verde and Tunisia square off while it is Ivory Coast, Guinea, Cameroon and Mali.
The opening match of the tournament will see hosts Equatorial Guinea take on Congo on January 17. Both Equatorial Guinea and Gabon reached the quarter-finals when they co-hosted the tournament in 2012.
It is group C that will mainly catch the eye with Senegal, among the favourites to lift the trophy, up against not only Algeria but a resurgent South African side, who were unbeaten in the qualifiers, and four-time champions Ghana who have just taken on former Chelsea manager Avram Grant in attempt to win the title for the first time in 33 years.
In group D there is a tasty head to head between Cameroon and Ivory Coast while the sympathy support will be with Guinea, representing a nation ravaged by Ebola who qualified against all odds after being forced to play all their home matches overseas.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734878887labto1734878887ofdlr1734878887owedi1734878887sni@w1734878887ahsra1734878887w.wer1734878887dna1734878887