BEVERLY HILLS, October 19, (THEWILL) – The final draws for Africa’s flagship football tournament, the African Cup of Nations 2017, taking place in Gabon next January was held on Wednesday.
It was indeed a colourful event, beautifully opened with the Gabonese national anthem and elegantly followed by a cultural performance themed in the rich African story.
In attendance were dignitaries including CAF President, Issa Hayatou; Gabon Prime Minister, Franck Emmanuel Issoze-Ngondet, Football Association Presidents, Coaches, among others.
The first round of the draw was by Senegalese footballer Khalilou Fadiga, helped at some point by the Prime Minister of Gabon.
Francois Amegasse, a Gabonese footballer who appeared with the national football team at the 1994, 1996 and 2000 African Cup of Nations helped with stage two of the draw.
Karim Abdul Razak Tanko, a Ghanaian football coach and former midfielder is the last person to help with the final draw. He played for several clubs in the 1970s and 1980s, notably the local club Kumasi Asante Kotoko.
Popularly called the “Golden Boy”, Razak also played for the Ghana national team, helping it win the 1978 African Cup of Nations. He was named African Footballer of the Year later that year.
The seedings were determined by taking into account the various countries’ performances at the last three Nations Cup finals‚ the last three Nations Cup qualifying campaigns‚ as well as the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and finals.
The African Cup of Nations will take place in Gabon from 14 January till February 5.
Ghana are set to face off against familiar foes, Egypt and Uganda; after drawing the two, who are also featured in same qualifying group for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, as well as Mali in Group D for the 2017 AFCON tournament.
GROUP A – Libreville
Gabon
Burkina Faso
Cameroon
Guinea Bissau
GROUP B – Franceville
Algeria
Tunisia
Senegal
Zimbabwe
GROUP C – Oyem
Ivory Coast
DR Congo
Morocco
Togo
GROUP D: Port Gentil
Ghana
Mali
Egypt
Uganda
Story by Oputah David
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