The draw for the second round of qualifying for the 2023 African Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire will take place this Tuesday, April 19 in South Africa. The 48 African selections involved will be divided into 12 groups of four. But there could be one or two pools of three because of Kenya and Zimbabwe’s suspensions.
This Tuesday, football Africa (except six countries eliminated in the first round) will have their eyes on the studios of the SuperSport channel, in Johannesburg. The draw for the second round of qualifying for the 2023 African Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire (June 23-July 23).
The 48 selections involved will be divided into four pots according to the latest FIFA ranking established on March 31. Thus, it is impossible to have the best African teams such as the SenegalMorocco, Nigeria, Egypt, Cameroon and even DR Congo in the same group.
Selections will be drawn by Ivorian Salomon Kalou and South African Lucas Radebe to be placed in 12 groups of four. The first two of each group will get their ticket for the CAN in the land of the Elephants. Côte d’Ivoire, which is also automatically qualified as a host country, but nevertheless participates in these qualifications. As a result, only one other team in their group will get their ticket.
Possible groups of three
If everything seems clear, a constraint slightly complicates this draw: the suspensions of Kenya and Zimbabwe by FIFA, on February 24, for political interference. Respectively placed in hats 2 and 3, these two selections will also be included in the draw despite temporary bans “, indicates the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
On the other hand, if their suspension is not lifted two weeks before the first day of the playoffs in June, they ” will be considered losers and eliminated from the competition “. If this is the case, their groups will consist of three teams, with always two tickets for the Ivory Coast at the key.
To avoid eventually ending up with a pool of two teams, “ Kenya and Zimbabwe cannot be drawn into the same group “, adds the CAF.
While waiting for the draw scheduled for this Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. universal time, here are some proposals for more or less raised or balanced hens:
Senegal, Guinea, Gambia, Sudan
DR Congo, Gabon, Comoros, Central African Republic
Mali, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Tanzania.