Cameroon are among three former champions who will play in the same group at the TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Algeria later this year following Wednesday’s draw.
Two two-time winners Cameroon and Mali will face off in Group C following the draw held at the Cercle National de l’Armée in Algiers.
The tricky group also includes former champions Burkina Faso and debutants South Sudan.
Hosts Algeria were placed in a tough group as they were drawn to face youth football giants Senegal in Group A tournament scheduled to start in April.
The home side will also take on Congo and debutants Somalia and will be based in the capital Algiers.
Two-time winners Nigeria will also face a tough task in Group B as the Golden Eaglets will be based in the city of Constantine.
They will take Morocco, South Africa and Zambia following the draw conducted by CAF Director of Competitions Khaed Nasser.
He was assisted in the draw by African football legends Ibrahim Bekakchi of Algeria and DR Congo’s Herita Ilunga.
The tournament will take place from April 29 to May 19.
The matches will take place in the cities of Annaba, Algiers and Constantine and will feature footballers born on or after January 1st, 2006.
Three stadiums have been chosen to host the competition are the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers, the Chahid Hamlaoui Stadium in Constantine and the May 19, 1956 Stadium in Annaba.
The four semi-finalists of the U17 AFCON will qualify for the World Cup to be played later in the year.
FULL DRAW BELOW
Groupe A (Algier)
Algeria
Senegal
Congo
Somalia
Groupe B (Constantine)
Nigeria
Morocco
South Africa
Zambia
Groupe C (Annaba)
Cameroon
Mali
Burkina Faso
South Sudan
Credit: CAF
