Nations Cup draw: Ghana in Tough Group

Draw for finals of 2002 African Nations Cup made on Saturday (Tournament to take place in Mali from Jan 19 to Feb 10):
Group A in Bamako: Mali, Liberia, Algeria, Nigeria
Group B in Bamako: South Africa, Burkina Faso, Morocco, Ghana
Group C in Sikasso: Cameroon, DR Congo, Togo, Ivory Coast
Group D in Segou: Egypt, Senegal, Zambia, Tunisia

Cameroon Lions get favourable African Nations Cup draw
BAMAKO, Sept 8 (AFP)-- Defending champions Cameroon were blessed when the draw for the 2002 African Nations Cup in Mali was made here Saturday.

Paired with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast and Togo in Group C, the Indomitable Lions seemed assured of finishing among the top two and advancing to the quarter-finals.

While the main problem facing caretaker Cameroon coach Robert Corfou is who to leave out, the Ivorians boast only one African star in France-based stiker Ibrahim Bakayoko, and the Congolese and Togolese have none.

Hosts Mali were placed in Group A with former champions Nigeria and Algeria and outsiders Liberia, whose main claim to fame is the presence of former World, European and African Footballer of the Year George Weah.

Nigeria seem the obvious choice to top the standings with home advantage giving Mali some hope of pipping an Algerian team in transistion for the second knockout place.

South Africa, first in 1996, second in 1998 and third last year, may have to revise plans to send a second-string squad after being drawn with Ghana, Morocco and Burkina Faso in Group B.
Ghana, African champions a record-equalling four times, and perennial underachievers Moroco are due a change of luck while Burkina Faso drew and lost narrowly to Bafana Bafana (The Boys) in 2002 World Cup qualifiers. The African Football Confederation has warned South Africa that the 16 challengers for the biggest prize in African football are obliged to select their strongest squads.

Egypt, appearing at the biennial African football showcase a record 17th time, face shock World Cup qualifiers Senegal, 1996 runners-up Tunisia and once-mighty Zambia in Group D.

Matches will be staged in Bamako, capital of the landlocked west African country, and the provincial towns of Kayes, Mopti, Segou and Sikasso from January 19 to February 10.