South Africa, Zambia, and Ghana are the fortunate teams certain to avoid the Ivory Coast in the first round of CAN 2013. However, the other teams are anxiously awaiting the draw, hoping to steer clear of Didier Drogba’s formidable squad. Despite being favorites in recent years, the Ivory Coast team has often fallen short in the crucial stages of tournaments.
There is speculation about potential challenging groups, with one scenario featuring Nigeria, DR Congo, Algeria, and Ivory Coast dubbed the “group of death.” If the Elephants find themselves in a group with the determined Super Eagles, the formidable Fennecs led by Vahid Halilhodzic, and the Leopards under the management of Claude Leroy, their favored status could face challenges.
Côte d’Ivoire, eager to secure a title 20 years after its only continental triumph, boasts a team with respected players like Drogba, Didier Zokora, Kolo and Yaya Touré, along with a talented younger generation. However, the team recognizes that success in the tournament requires more than just a roster of renowned names.
The draw marks the second time South Africa is hosting the CAN without being initially designated, with the first instance being in 1996 when it replaced Kenya. This time, Libya forfeited its hosting rights due to political instability.
The pots for the draw are as follows: Pot 2: Nigeria, Tunisia, Mali, Angola Pot 3: Algeria, Morocco, Burkina Faso, Niger Pot 4: Togo, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Cape Verde
