By Abiola Olawale
The official draw ceremony for the forthcoming 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) took place in Johannesburg, South Africa on Thursday.
During the draw ceremony, it was announced that Nigeria has been placed in Group D for the qualifiers of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face competition from Benin, Libya, and Rwanda, to qualify for the 2025 AFCON scheduled to be played in Morocco.
The New Diplomat reports that the 2025 AFCON will be played from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, following the decision of CAF to adjust the schedule of the tournament for the congested FIFA calendar.
It will be the first time in Nations Cup history that the tournament will kick off in December and run over the Christmas and New Year periods.
Below is the full draw for 2025 AFCON qualifiers made in Johannesburg on Thursday:
Group A
Tunisia, Madagascar, Comoros, Gambia
Group B
Morocco (hosts), Gabon, Central African Republic, Lesotho
Group C
Egypt, Cape Verde, Mauritania, Botswana
Group D
Nigeria, Benin, Libya, Rwanda
Group E
Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, Togo, Liberia
Group F
Ghana, Angola, Sudan, Niger
Group G
Ivory Coast (holders), Zambia, Sierra Leone, Chad
Group H
Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Tanzania, Ethiopia
Group I
Mali, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Eswatini
Group J
Cameroon, Namibia, Kenya, Zimbabwe
Group K
South Africa, Uganda, Congo Brazzaville, South Sudan
Group L
Senegal, Burkina Faso, Malawi, Burundi
Dates
Sept 2-10: Matchdays 1, 2
Oct 7-15: Matchdays 3, 4
Nov 11-15: Matchdays 5, 6
