August 17, (THEWILL) – On Tuesday evening, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) held the draw for the group phase of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) at the Yaoundé Conference Centre of host nation Cameroon.
The standout fixture of the draw, which was conducted by CAF competitions director Samson Adamu, and assisted by African football legends Samuel Eto’o, Gaelle Enganamouit, Rabeh Madjer, Didier Drogba and Asamoah Gyan, was the pitting of West Africa’s most flamboyant football nation Nigeria against the most successful AFCON nation Egypt.
Between these two, the Pharaohs and the Super Eagles, are no fewer than 10 AFCON titles. Egypt has the unprecedented record of seven titles while Nigeria boasts of three to their name. Joining the two heavyweights in the Group of Death, Group D, are Sudan and Guinea-Bissau.
In the other groups, hosts Cameroon were drawn against Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and Cape Verde in Group A. With that, the slate of pairings means that Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions will open the tournament on Sunday, January 9, 2022, against the Stallions of Burkina Faso.
Africa’s highest ranked team and AFCON 2019 runners-up Senegal were drawn together with Zimbabwe, Guinea and Malawi in Group B. In Group C, North African heavyweights Morocco are joined by West African football powerhouse Ghana with Gabon and debutants Comoros completing the roster.
Defending champions Algeria have all to prove for themselves when they start their title defense in Group E against Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea. There is another first-timer in Group F as Gambia will have to prove themselves worthy to be among veterans such as Tunisia, Mali and Mauritania.
AFCON’s 33rd tournament will run from January 9 to February 6, next year in six Cameroonian stadiums: the Paul Biya Stadium and Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in the capital Yaoundé; the Japoma Stadium in Douala; the Limbe Stadium in Limbe; the Kouekong Stadium in Bafoussam; and the Roumde Adjia Stadium in Garoua.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the opening ceremony, the opening match of the tournament and the final clash will all take place at the newly built 60,000 seater Paul Biya Stadium in Yaoundé, the capital of the country.
AFCON Group phase draw
Group A
Cameroon (hosts)
Burkina Faso
Ethiopia
Cape Verde
Group B
Senegal
Zimbabwe
Guinea
Malawi
Group C
Morocco
Ghana
Comoros
Gabon
Group D
Nigeria
Egypt
Sudan
Guinea-Bissau
Group E
Algeria
Sierra Leone
Equatorial Guinea
Ivory Coast
Group F
Tunisia
Mali
Mauritania
Gambia
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
