HARARE While the Warriors have struggled to come to terms with their failure to qualify for both the African Cup of Nations finals staged in Angola last month, the 2010 world cup to be held in South Africa in June, they have now been drawn in a tough group for the 28th edition of the biennial Orange African Cup of Nations. According to the draw conducted in Lubumbashi on Saturday, the Warriors were pooled in the same group with Mali, Liberia and Cape Verde Islands. Mali are the seeded team in the group. Only one team from the 11 groups will earn a ticket to the football extravaganza to be co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea 2012. The co-hosts are also guaranteed places, as well as the three best runners-up.
The group is further complicated by the fact that it features seasoned campaigners Mali. Mali boast an intimidating record of six appearances at the tournament while Liberia and Zimbabwe have featured at the tourney just two times each. Cape Verde are also tricky customers who could derail the Warriors chances. Warriors coach, Sunday Chidzamwa, admitted as much.
“Its a tough draw. What this means is that we have to work very hard for us to qualify. Any team from this group poses a threat but Mali are favourites because they have taken part in the tournament on a number of occasions,” said Chidzambwa.
Afcon Draw
Group 1: Mali, Cape Verde Islands, Zimbabwe, Liberia
Group 2: Nigeria, Guinea, Ethiopia, Madagascar
Group 3: Zambia, Mozambique, Libya, Comoros Islands
Group 4: Algeria, Morocco, Tanzania, Central African Republic
Group 5: Cameroon, Senegal, DR Congo, Mauritius
Group 6: Burkina Faso, Gambia, Namibia, Mauritania
Group 7: Egypt (holders), South Africa, Sierra Leone, Niger
Group 8: Cote dIvoire, Benin, Rwanda, Burundi
Group 9: Ghana, Congo, Sudan, Swaziland
Group 10: Angola, Uganda, Kenya, Guinea Bissau
Group 11: Tunisia, Malawi, Chad, Botswana
Post published in: Zimbabwe Sports News