Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal drawn together in Cup

CAIRO – West African rivals Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal have been drawn in the same group for next year’s African Nations Cup finals, adding a new chapter to a long-standing rivalry.

The three sides, plus Zimbabwe, will play in Group D in Egypt in January. Senegal beat Nigeria after extra-time in a bruising semi-final encounter at the 2002 finals, days after Nigeria had ousted Ghana in the last eight.Nigeria have failed to qualify for next year’s World Cup finals in Germany.Nations Cup hosts Egypt were drawn with Ivory Coast in Group A, renewing their recent World Cup qualifying rivalry during which the Ivorians finished top of the section to reach the finals for the first time.Libya and Morocco are also in Group A.Tunisia will begin the defence of their title against Zambia in Alexandria.Also drawn in Group C were Guinea and South Africa.Of the top seeds, Cameroon will have been the most satisfied, based in Cairo in Group B along with Democratic Republic of Congo and the two surprise World Cup finalists Angola and Togo.The tournament will open with a derby between Egypt and Libya in Cairo on January 20.The final will be played on February 10.- Nampa-ReutersSenegal beat Nigeria after extra-time in a bruising semi-final encounter at the 2002 finals, days after Nigeria had ousted Ghana in the last eight.Nigeria have failed to qualify for next year’s World Cup finals in Germany.Nations Cup hosts Egypt were drawn with Ivory Coast in Group A, renewing their recent World Cup qualifying rivalry during which the Ivorians finished top of the section to reach the finals for the first time.Libya and Morocco are also in Group A.Tunisia will begin the defence of their title against Zambia in Alexandria.Also drawn in Group C were Guinea and South Africa.Of the top seeds, Cameroon will have been the most satisfied, based in Cairo in Group B along with Democratic Republic of Congo and the two surprise World Cup finalists Angola and Togo.The tournament will open with a derby between Egypt and Libya in Cairo on January 20.The final will be played on February 10.- Nampa-Reuters