Ghana has been given an interesting draw for the 2015 African Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers. The draw was made at the headquarters of the Confederation of African Football (Caf) in Cairo, Egypt.
The Black Stars face Togo and Guinea and one other opponent to be confirmed later in 2014.
Meanwhile, the defending champions Nigeria have drawn South Africa in one of seven qualifying groups. North African rivals Tunisia and Egypt will face each other; Ghana will meet Togo, and Ivory Coast and Cameroon are drawn together.
Three teams were drawn in each group at Sunday’s ceremony. A fourth team will emerge from two more qualifying rounds.
Eventually, the group winners and runners-up will go through to the 2015 finals, as will the best third-placed side and the hosts Morocco.
First round:
- Liberia v Lesotho
- Kenya v Comoros Islands
- Madagascar v Uganda
- Mauritania v Equatorial Guinea
- Namibia v Congo
- Libya v Rwanda
- Burundi v Botswana
- Central African Republic v Guinea Bissau
- Swaziland v Sierra Leone
- Gambia v Seychelles
- Sao Tome e Principe v Benin
- Malawi v Chad
- Tanzania v Zimbabwe
- Mozambique v South Sudan
These are all two-legged qualifiers, with the team named first hosting the opening leg on the weekend of 16-18 May. The return leg will be played on the weekend of 30-31 May and 1 June. The aggregate winners advance to the second round:
Second round:
- Liberia or Lesotho v Kenya or Comoros Islands
- Madagascar or Uganda v Mauritania or Equatorial Guinea
- Namibia or Congo v Libya or Rwanda
- Burundi or Botswana v Central African Republic or Guinea Bissau
- Swaziland or Sierra Leone v Gambia or Seychelles
- Sao Tome e Principe or Benin v Malawi or Chad
- Tanzania or Zimbabwe v Mozambique or South Sudan
These are all two-legged qualifiers, with the team named first hosting the opening leg on the weekend of 18-20 July. The return leg will be played on the weekend of 1-3 August. The aggregate winners advance to the group stage.
Group Stage:
Group A : Nigeria, Sudan, South Africa – plus winners of: Namibia vs Congo Brazzaville/Libya vs Rwanda
Group B : Mali, Ethiopia, Algeria – plus winners of: Sao Tome e Principe vs Benin/Malawi vs Chad
Group C: Burkina Faso, Gabon, Angola – plus winners of: Liberia vs Lesotho/Kenya vs Comoros Islands
Group D: Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon – plus winners of: Swaziland vs Sierra Leone/Gambia vs. Seychelles
Group E: Ghana, Guinea, Togo – plus winners of: Madagascar vs Uganda/Mauritania vs Equatorial Guinea
Group F: Zambia, Niger, Cape Verde Islands – plus winners of: Tanzania vs Zimbabwe/Mozambique vs South Sudan
Group G: Tunisia, Senegal, Egypt – plus winners of: Burundi vs Botswana/ Central African Republic vs Guinea Bissau
The top two countries in each group, plus the best third-placed finisher qualify for the finals along with the hosts Morocco.
The group matches will be played 5-6 September and 10 September; 10-11 October and 15 October; 14-15 November and 19 November.