CHAN 2009 semi finalists Zambia has been drawn against hosts Kenya in the CHAN 2025.
Wedson Nyirenda’s men will also face neighbours Angola and DR Congo in what has been dubbed the ‘Group of Death.’
North African giants Morocco is the other team in Group A.
Elsewhere Holders Senegal will face a resurgent Nigeria and Sudan in Group D of the rescheduled African Nations Championship (CHAN) being co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in August.
The biennial tournament, reserved for players featuring in their respective domestic leagues, has been pushed back by six months to give the three countries more time to complete building and upgrading the stadium facilities.
Senegalese coach Souleymane Diallo said the first match will be important for the Lions of Teranga, and his players were well aware of what is at stake in the tournament.
“We will have to approach it (the first game) with a very good state of mind, a very good mentality, but above all an African mentality which consists of being serene first and identifying the obstacles we need to tackle,” Diallo told Cafonline.com.
Nigeria, who will be led by new coach Eric Chelle from Mali, will be making a return after an eight-year hiatus after eliminating regional arch-rivals Ghana in the second round qualiying competition.
Congo, who have twice reached the quarter-finals in 2018 and 2020 complete the only four-team group. Kenya will make their debut.
The Harambee Stars are drawn in Group A alongside two-time champions and 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Morocco, DR Congo, Angola and Zambia.
Group B features Tanzania, Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso and Central African Republic.
[ZamFoot/AFP]
