Kick-off for the opening match is in Accra on January 20, when Ghana plays Guinea.
Soccer pundits are already referring to Group D as the ‘Group of Death’ as all four countries are expecting to progress to the next round, the quarter finals.
First seeds Tunisia and traditional African powerhouse Senegal are expecting to be pushed to the limit by 2006 World Cup qualifiers, Angola’s Palancas Negras and South Africa.
Host nation Ghana looks as if it will have clear sailing to the second round of the tournament in Group A ahead of Morocco, Guinea, and Namibia. Ghana will play all its Group A games in Accra.
Defending champions Egypt head Group C. Cameroon, Africa’s second highest-ranked team in the Fifa world rankings, Sudan and Zambia are the other teams in the group.
Four West African countries are in Group B. Nigeria, the top-ranked African team, is joined by Ivory Coast Mali and Benin will hope to play the role of spoilers in Group B.
The top two teams in each group will advance through the group phase to the quarter-finals.
The final will be on February 10 in Accra.
GROUP AJanuary 20At AccraGhana v GuineaJanuary 21At AccraNamibia v MoroccoJanuary 24At AccraGuinea v MoroccoGhana v NamibiaJanuary 28At AccraGhana v MoroccoAt SekondiGuinea v Namibia
GROUP BJanuary 21At SekondiNigeria v Ivory CoastMali v BeninJanuary 25At SekondiIvory Coast v BeninNigeria v MaliJanuary 29At SekondiNigeria v BeninAt AccraIvory Coast v Mali
GROUP CJanuary 22At KumasiEgypt v CameroonSudan v ZambiaJanuary 26At KumasiCameroon v ZambiaEgypt v SudanJanuary 30At KumasiEgypt v ZambiaAt TamaleCameroon v Sudan
GROUP DJanuary 23At TamaleTunisia v SenegalSouth Africa v AngolaJanuary 27At TamaleSenegal v AngolaTunisia v South AfricaJanuary 31At TamaleTunisia v AngolaAt KumasiSenegal v South Africa
QUARTERFINALSFebruary 3At AccraGroup A winners v Group B runners-upAt SekondiGroup B winners v Group A runners-upFebruary 4At KumasiGroup C winners v Group D runners-upAt TamaleGroup D winners v Group C runners-up
SEMIFINALSFebruary 7At Accra
FINALFebruary 10At Accra
