Three-time African champions, Nigeria’s Super Eagles has been handed easy draw in Cote d’Ivoire 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Nigeria, according to the draw conducted by South African legend, Lucas Radebe and Cote d’ Ivoire striker, Solomon Kalou on Tuesday, will do battle with Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau and either Sao Tome and Principe or Mauritius.
The former African champions will play their game of the group against Lone Star of Sierra Leone.
While Nigeria is ranked third best in Africa and 30th in the world, Siera Leone are 108, Guinea-Bissau (115) and Sao Tome and Principle (181).
The top two countries in all the groups are through to the 24-team biennial fiesta in Cote d’ Ivoire.
Nigeria were dumped out of the last edition of the tournament in Round of 16 by the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia and have also qualified eighteen times.
Meanwhile, the defending champions Senegal were pooled in Group L where they will battle out with Benin, Mozambique and Rwanda.
Hosts Côte d’Ivoire are in Group H with Zambia, Comoros and Lesotho. Only one team will qualify from this group, alongside the hosts. Comoros who were one of the surprise packages at the delayed 2021 showpiece in Cameroon are seeking for a second consecutive qualification.
GROUP A
Nigeria
Sierra Leone
G-Bissau
Sao Tome and Principe/Mauritius
GROUP B
Burkina Faso
Cape Verde
Togo
Estwasini
GROUP C
Cameroon
Kenya
Namibia
Burundi
GROUP D
Egypt
Guinea
Malawi
Ethiopia
GROUP E
Ghana
Madagascar
Angola
CAR
GROUP F
Algeria
Uganda
Niger
Tanzania
GROUP G
Mali
Congo
The Gambia
South Sudan
GROUP H
Cote d’ Ivoire
Zambia
Comoros
Lesotho
GROUP I
DR Congo
Gabon
Mauritania
Sudan
GROUP J
Tunisia
Equatorial Guinea
Libya
Botswana
GROUP K
Morocco
South Africa
Zimbabwe
Liberia
GROUP L
Senegal
Benin
Mozambique
Rwanda
