Egypt, the current African soccer champions have been handed what many consider to be the best of the five group draws. They have been grouped with Algeria, Zambia and Rwanda in Group C as they attempt to reach their third World Cup finals. The draw was conducted on Wednesday in Zurich.
Group A is a Francophone affair, and a tough test for any team hoping to make it to the World Cup in 2010. Cameroon, the highest ranked African country, were drawn against Morocco, Gabon and 2006 World Cup contenders Togo.
In Group B Nigeria have been handed a fine chance to make amends for missing out on the 2006 World Cup. Boasting the only 100% record from the African qualifying campaign so far, the Super Eagles should prove too strong for Kenya and Mozambique and will find Tunisia their toughest opponents.
Ghana will face Benin, Mali and Sudan.
2006 World Cup finalists Cote d’Ivoire will meet Guinea, Burkina Faso and Malawi in Group E.
The 20 African nations remaining were drawn into five groups of four teams each. The five group winners qualify directly for the 2010 World Cup finals, while the first three in each group will go to Angola to contest the Africa Cup of Nations.
Hosts South Africa qualify for the World Cup automatically, but were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations at the first group stage of qualifying.
The final round of qualifying matches will begin in March 2009.
The full draw is as follows:
Group A: Cameroon, Morocco, Gabon, Togo.
Group B: Nigeria, Tunisia, Kenya, Mozambique.
Group C: Egypt, Algeria, Zambia, Rwanda,
Group D: Ghana, Mali, Benin, Sudan.
Group E: Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Malawi.
