The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has conducted a fresh draw for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) just four days before the tournament begins, citing irregularities in the original draw held on 15 October 2023.
The revised draw took place in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and reshaped the group stages of the competition involving ten national teams from CAF’s West B Zone.
The unexpected change has sparked discussions among fans and stakeholders, given the tight schedule before the tournament’s start on 20 October.
Under the new arrangement, the teams have been split into two groups of five.
Host nation Côte d’Ivoire leads Group A, joined by Benin, Niger, Sierra Leone, and Liberia.
Group B features regional powerhouses Ghana and Nigeria, alongside Burkina Faso, Togo, and reigning champions Senegal.
CAF has not disclosed specific details about the irregularities that prompted the redraw, but the last-minute nature of the decision has added urgency to the preparations of all participating teams.
Despite the abrupt changes, tournament organizers have confirmed that the competition will proceed as planned, running from 20 to 29 October.
The structure of the tournament remains unchanged.
Each team will face the others in their group, with the top two from each group progressing to the semi-finals.
The stakes are high, as the two teams that reach won the last edition of the tournament in 2019, are entering the competition as the team to beat.
With their title on the line, they will face stiff opposition in a highly competitive Group B.
Group A, meanwhile, offers a platform for emerging squads to make a strong impression on the continental stage.
The tournament is expected to showcase some of the brightest young talents in African football and will serve as a vital opportunity for national teams to assess their future stars ahead of the 2025 edition.
Coaches and players now face an accelerated timeline to adjust their strategies and logistics based on the new group alignments.
As the opening match approaches, all eyes will be on Ivory Coast to see how the revised tournament format unfolds.
The decision by CAF to redraw the groups so close to the start has added an element of unpredictability to an already intense competition.
