The draw for the 2023 U23 Africa Cup of Nations tournament was successfully held on Friday, May 5, at a ceremony in Morocco.
This year’s edition of the U23 AFCON will be hosted in Morocco and promises an exciting tournament.
At the end of the draw today, Ghana has been drawn in Group A to face Morocco, Guinea, and Congo.
As we look forward to the tournament next month, here are some facts about Group A opponents as provided by CAF.
Morocco – Host nation:
Hosts for a second time were runners-up to Gabon the last time they were the hosts in 2011.
This will be their second appearance at the tournament along with 2011, when they were the tournament's inaugural hosts.
Morocco won their opening two games at the 2011 edition defeating Nigeria and Algeria 1-0, despite a loss to Senegal in their final group game, they progressed to the last four defeating Egypt but lost in the final to Gabon.
Ghana:
Making their second appearance at the tournament after 2019.
Finished fourth in their only previous tournament appearance in 2019.
Lost both their knockout games in 2019 on penalties to Cote d’ Ivoire in the Semi-finals and South Africa in the play-off for third.
Congo:
Making their tournament debut.
Overcame South Africa in the final round of qualifying, progressing on away goals after drawing the first leg away from home 1-1 and the second 0-0.
Are the third different team from the UNIFFAC region to have ever made the finals along with Cameroon and Gabon.
Guinea:
Making their tournament debut.
Shocked Nigeria in the qualifiers with a 0-0 away draw in Abuja in the first leg of the third round, followed it up with a 2-0 win in the second leg played in Rabat.
They and Niger become the 6th and 7th teams from the WAFU Zone to qualify for the tournament.
More on the tournament:
At the tournament, Ghana and the other countries will be aiming not to only conquer the continent but also secure qualification to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
The 2023 U23 AFCON tournament is scheduled to start on June 24 with the final set to be played on July 8.