The long awaited draw is out and Algeria, defending champion of the African Cup of Nations (CAN), will face Sierra Leone, Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast, in the clash of Group E of the 2022 edition (January 9-February 6), according to the draw made in Yaoundé on Tuesday August 17th. Cameroon, host country of the competition and second most titled nation in Africa with five trophies, will face Burkina Faso on January 9 in Yaoundé, then Ethiopia and Cape Verde. Seven-time African champions Egypt came in Pot 2 alongside Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea.
Senegal, another contender for the final victory, with its star Sadio Mané, inherited group B with Malawi, Guinea and Zimbabwe. Ghana and Morocco will start as favorites in Group C against the Panthers of Gabon and Comoros. In group F, Tunisia and Mali, two outsiders of this CAN, will face Gambia and Mauritania. The Algerian Fennecs, led by Riyad Mahrez and undefeated in 27 games, are favourites for a third title.
As the tournament is set up, the first, second and best four thirds in each group will advance to the round of 16. The third place Match will take place on Sunday, February 6 in Yaoundé while the final will be held on Sunday, February 6 in Yaoundé. Five main cities were selected as hosts of the tournament, namely Douala and its Japoma Stadium, Yaoundé and its Ahmadou Ahidjo and Olembé Stadiums, Bafoussam and its Kouekong Stadium, Garoua and its Roumdé-Adjia Stadium and finally the Limbe-Buea venue which houses the Limbe Omnisport Stadium.
Below is the full composition of the groups:
Group A: Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Cape Verde
Group B: Senegal, Zimbabwe, Guinea, Malawi
Group C: Morocco, Ghana, Comoros, Gabon
Group D: Nigeria, Egypt, Sudan, Guinea-Bissau
Group E: Algeria, Sierra Leone, Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast
Group F: Tunisia, Mali, Mauritania, Gambia
Road to Final:
Group stage: from January 9 to 20, 2022
Round of 16: January 23-26, 2022
Quarter-finals: January 29 and 30, 2022
Semi-finals: February 2 and 3, 2022
Third Place match and Final: February 6, 2022