Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have been drawn against host Niger, South Africa and Burundi in Group A ahead of the 2019 Under 20 AFCON.
The quartet of Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana were drawn in Group B dubbed: “Group of death,” in the 21st edition of the youth tournament.
The quartet of Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana were drawn in Group B dubbed: “Group of death,” in the 21st edition of the youth tournament.
The four teams will rekindle their existing rivalry as they battle for places at the last four.
Niger are debutants whilst Burundi is making a return after their historic exploits in 1995, where they lost to Cameroon in the final.
Niger are debutants whilst Burundi is making a return after their historic exploits in 1995, where they lost to Cameroon in the final.
Seven-time winners Nigeria on the other hand stages a return after missing out on the last edition in Zambia in 2017.
The draw ceremony was held at the Technical Centre of the Niger Football Federation in the capital, with CAF Deputy General Secretary, Anthony Baffoe, conducting the draw with the assistance of two former Niger players representing different generations, Moussa Kanfidena and Issoufou Dante.
The final tournament will be held from February 2 to 18, 2019 in the Niger cities of Niamey and Maradi, with the semi-finalists qualifying to represent the continent at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019.
The draw ceremony was held at the Technical Centre of the Niger Football Federation in the capital, with CAF Deputy General Secretary, Anthony Baffoe, conducting the draw with the assistance of two former Niger players representing different generations, Moussa Kanfidena and Issoufou Dante.
The final tournament will be held from February 2 to 18, 2019 in the Niger cities of Niamey and Maradi, with the semi-finalists qualifying to represent the continent at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019.
Details of the draw;
Group A – Niger, South Africa, Nigeria, Burundi
Group B – Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana