The Super Eagles are set to renew rivalry with the Black Stars of Ghana in the West African Football Union (WAFU) Nations Cup. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Draw Ceremony for the tournament meant for senior national teams in the sub –region took place at the Labadi Beach Hotel, Accra on Thursday.
The competition has been scheduled for Sept. 9 to Sept. 24, and teams are expected to feature wholly home–based professionals.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles have been drawn in Group A alongside host nation Ghana, Gambia Siera Leone, Guinea Bissau, Mauritania Mali and Guinea.
The tournament involves a unique format that will see teams play single games before proceeding to the quarter finals.
Ghana and Nigeria have seven African titles between them, with the Super Eagles and the Black Stars featuring in the last two FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa (2010) and Brazil (2014).
All the teams in Group A will play in Takoradi, the twin city of Sekondi that also hosted matches during the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Super Eagles are drawn to play their first match against Sierra Leone.
Group B will compete in Cape Coast. 2015 African champions Cote d’Ivoire headline the pool that also has Senegal, Burkina Faso and Benin Republic, with Liberia, Niger Republic, Togo and Cape Verde also involved.
NFF’s Director of Competitions, Ayobola Oyeyode, represented Nigeria at the Draw Ceremony.
THE DRAW
GROUP A
Ghana Vs The Gambia
Nigeria Vs Sierra Leone
Mali Vs Mauritania
Guinea Vs Guinea Bissau
GROUP B
Senegal Vs Liberia
Burkina Faso Vs Niger Republic
Cote d’Ivoire Vs Togo
Benin Republic Vs Cape Verde.
