Ghana has not been seeded ahead of Friday’s draw for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Black Stars, instead, have dropped to Pot 2, complicating the country’s path to a first AFCON success since 1982.
Host nation Egypt, defending champions Cameroon, have been seeded while Senegal, Tunisia, Nigeria and Morocco join the list of six (6) seeded countries for the 24-team tournament.
The draw procedure was approved at the CAF Executive Committee Meeting on Thursday in Cairo, having been proposed by the Organising Committee of the Total Africa Cup of Nations.
The selection of the seeded teams was based on the latest FIFA ranking of the teams. Despite being ranked the 6th best team on the continent, both Cameroon and Egypt, being ranked outside the top 6 in Africa means they take the place of the Black Stars and DR Congo, pushing them into Pot 2.
Ghana will be joined in Pot 2 by DR Congo, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea and Algeria.
Full AFCON 2019 Draw Pots:
Pot 1: Egypt, Cameroon, Senegal, Tunisia, Nigeria, Morocco
Pot 2: DR Congon, Ghana, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Algeria
Pot 3: South Africa, Uganda, Benin, Mauritania, Madagascar, Kenya
Pot 4: Zimbabwe, Namibia, Guinea Bissau, Angola, Tanzania, Burundi
Draw Procedure:
According to the Article 73.1 of the regulations of the competition;
– The organizing country (Egypt) shall be the head of group A.
– The holder of the trophy (Cameroon) will be the head of one of the five other groups in
addition to 4 other head of groups determined in accordance to the ranking.
Procedures of the draw:
The following 4 pots will be on stage:
Pot 4: Containing the 6 teams of level IV
Pot 3: Containing the 6 teams of level III
Pot 2: Containing the 6 teams of level II
Pot 1: Containing the 5 teams of level I (Host country is in position A1)
Step 1:
Pot 4: The 6 less seeded teams of level IV will be in pot 4
o The first ball drawn will go directly to group A; in position A4.
o The second ball drawn will go directly to group B; in position B4
o The third ball drawn will go directly to group C; in position C4
o The fourth ball drawn will go directly to group D; in position D4
o The fifth ball drawn will go directly to group E; in position E4
o The sixth ball drawn will go directly to group F; in position F4
Step 2:
Pot 3: The 6 teams of level III will be in pot 3
o The first ball drawn will go directly to group A; in position A3.
o The second ball drawn will go directly to group B; in position B3
o The third ball drawn will go directly to group C; in position C3
o The fourth ball drawn will go directly to group D; in position D3
o The fifth ball drawn will go directly to group E; in position E3
o The sixth ball drawn will go directly to group F; in position F3