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AFCON 2025 qualifiers draw set for SA, Harambee Stars in pot 3

Thursday, July 4th, 2024 10:44 | By
Harambee Stars’ Duke Abuya (left) scores against Burundi national team’s goalkeeper during their World Cup qualifier on Friday.
Harambee Stars’ Duke Abuya (left) scores against Burundi national team’s goalkeeper during their World Cup qualifier on Friday. PHOTO/FKF

The eagerly awaited draw for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 will take place on July 4, 2023, in Johannesburg, South Africa with Harambee Stars set to learn their opponents.

The event is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m., with Kenya placed in Pot 3 ahead of the qualification draw.

Harambee Stars possible opponents

Kenya could potentially face off against their neighbors, Uganda, who are in Pot 2. However, they will avoid facing Tanzania and Sudan in the group stage as these teams are also in Pot 3.

Aboud Omar in a training session with Harambee Stars. PHOTO/@Harambee__Stars/X
Aboud Omar in a training session with Harambee Stars. PHOTO/@Harambee__Stars/X

Pot 1 features strong teams such as Morocco, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Egypt, Nigeria, Tunisia, Algeria, Mali, Cameroon, South Africa, DRC, and Ghana.

Pot 2 includes Cape Verde, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Zambia, Benin, Angola, Uganda, Namibia, Mozambique, and Madagascar.

Pot 3 has Kenya, Mauritania, Congo, Tanzania, Guinea-Bissau, Libya, Comoros, Togo, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Malawi, and Central African Republic. The final pot includes Niger, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Gambia, Burundi, Liberia, Ethiopia, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, South Sudan, and Chad.

A total of 48 nations will be involved in the draw for the qualifiers. Notable figures Emerse Faé and Moroccan legend Marouane Chamakh have been confirmed as the draw assistants.

Faé made a significant impact on Ivorian football when he guided the Elephants to continental glory. Initially taking over as interim coach during the knockout stages, he led Cote d'Ivoire to their third African title after a series of dramatic encounters, culminating in a final victory against Nigeria.

Following this success, he was appointed as the substantive coach. Faé's playing career included stints at Nantes (2003-2007), Reading FC (2007-2009), and OGC Nice (2009-2012) before retiring at 28 due to injuries.

Draw assistant

Chamakh is celebrated as one of Morocco's best forwards. He started his career at Nérac FC at the age of four before moving to Bordeaux, where he made 230 appearances and scored 56 goals between 2002 and 2010.

Harambee Stars training in Lilongwe, Malawi. PHOTO/@Harambee__Stars/X
Harambee Stars training in Lilongwe, Malawi. PHOTO/@Harambee__Stars/X

Chamakh earned 65 caps for the Atlas Lions and was part of the team that finished second in the 2004 AFCON. His professional career included successful spells at Arsenal and Crystal Palace. Chamakh retired with 71 club goals and 18 international goals from 65 appearances.

The draw marks the beginning of an exciting journey for the participating teams as they aim to secure their place in the prestigious tournament to be held in Morocco.

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