The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed the drawing pots for the upcoming draw for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, with South Africa dropping into pot three.
After South Africa dropped from 63rd position to 65th globally and more importantly from 12th to 13th among the African teams, Hugo Broos’ side will be in Pot 3.
It’s likely due to Congo playing in more competitive fixtures, with six AFCON qualifiers, to South Africa’s four, whilst friendlies against lower-ranked nations counted against Bafana as they get lesser points in the ranking calculations, despite beating DRC in their latest home match.
Within the previous rankings, South Africa were amongst the Pot 2 sides with Cameroon, Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana.
But now, they swopped places with DRC, who overtook them in the FIFA ranking. As a consequence, Bafana moved into Pot 3 with Cape Verde, Guniea, Zambia, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Mauritania.
This will likely set up a Group of Death case for Broos and his troops in the latest continental showpiece in the new year, as they will now be paired with one opponent from each of Pot 1, Pot 2 and Pot 4.
Confirmed drawing pots:
Pot 1: Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt
Pot 2: Nigeria, Cameroon, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, DR Congo
Pot 3: South Africa, Cape Verde, Guniea, Zambia, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Mauritania
Pot 4: Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Namibia, Angola, Gambia, Tanzania
The draw for next year’s AFCON is set to take place on 12 October in Abidjan.
