AFCON 2021: CAF Announces Official Draw for Qualifiers

The draw has been made for the 2021 African Nations Cup qualifiers, with some intriguing pools to determine the 24 qualifiers for the finals in Cameroon in two years’ time.

A preliminary round will be played in October before the 12 pools start in November, with 48 teams to take part in that stage. The top two sides in each group will join hosts Cameroon in the finals.

Africa’s top-ranked side Senegal have been placed in Group I, where they will take on Congo, Guinea-Bissau and Eswatini.

Cameroon have been entered into the qualifiers despite being hosts, though they are guaranteed a place at the finals.

The Indomitable Lions have Cape Verde Islands, Mozambique and Rwanda in their pool. Should Cameroon win the pool then the runner-up will qualify for the finals as well.

Match Days

7-15 October 2019: 2 Legs of the Preliminary Round

11-19 November 2019: Match Day 1 and 2

31-8 September 2019: Match Day 3 and 4

05-13 October 2020: Match Day 5

9-17 November 2020: Match Day 6

Preliminary Round

Liberia v Chad

South Sudan v Seychelles

Mauritius v Sao Tome

Djibouti v Gambia

The Pools
Group A: Mali, Guinea, Namibia, Winner Liberia v Chad

Group B: Burkina Faso, Uganda, Malawi, Winner South Sudan v Seychelles

Group C: Ghana, South Africa, Sudan, Mauritius v Sao Tome and Principe

Group D: DR Congo, Gabon, Angola Winner of Gambia v Djibouti

Group E: Morocco ,Mauritania ,Central Africa Burundi

Group F: Cameroon, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Rwanda

Group G: Egypt, Kenya, Togo, Comoros Islands

Group H: Algeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana

Group I: Senegal, Congo, Guinea-Bissau, Eswatini

Group J: Tunisia, Libya, Tanzania, Equatorial Guinea

Group K: Côte d’Ivoire, Niger, Madagascar, Ethiopia

Group L: Nigeria, Benin, Sierra Leone, Lesotho