Ghana have been paired against Egypt, Cape Verde and Mozambique in Group B, but the other groups are equally competitive
The draw saw the 24 participating teams put into four pots of six teams each. Pot 1 was made up of hosts Ivory Coast, as well as defending champions Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt.
Pot 2 contained Cameroon, Mali, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burkina Faso. South Africa was joined by Cape Verde, Guinea, Zambia, Equatorial Guinea and Mauritania in Pot 3, while Mozambique, Namibia, Angola, Gambia, Tanzania and Guinea Bissau made up Pot 4.
In Group A, hosts Cote d’Ivoire are paired against Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau in Group A.
Group C contains Senegal, Cameroon, Guinea and The Gambia, with Algeria, Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Angola drawn in Group D.
Tunisia, Mali, South Africa and Namibia are in Group E, while Morocco, DR Congo, Zambia and Tanzania complete the draw in Group F.
The 2023 AFCON will be staged from January 13 to February 11, 2024, continuing the 24-team format tournament that started in 2019.
See the full group stage draw below:
GROUP A
Cote d’Ivoire
Nigeria
Equatorial Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
GROUP B
Egypt
Ghana
Cape Verde
Mozambique
GROUP C
Senegal
Cameroon
Guinea
Gambia
GROUP D
Algeria
Burkina Faso
Mauritania
Angola
GROUP E
Tunisia
Mali
South Africa
Namibia
GROUP F
Morocco
DR Congo
Zambia
Tanzania
USA 4-0 Ghana: Spineless Black Stars humiliated in America towards the world cup qualification matches
The Black Stars put up a listless performance and were duly punished in what was a one-sided first half at the Geodis Park in Nashville, Tennessee
The USA ran riots in the first half with a double from Giovanni Reyna added to by further strikes from Christian Pulisic and Leon Balogun
Having lost 2-0 to Mexico last Sunday, Chris Hughton made some changes to his starting line-up for the game against the Yanks
Abdul Manaf Nurudeen replaced Lawrence Ati Zigi in post, while Alidu Seidu started at right-back. Nicholas Opoku and Jermone Opoku were handed the nod at the centre of defense, while Gideon Mensah maintained his slot at left-back.
In midfield, Thomas Partey started alongside Edmund Addo, with Joseph Paintsil, Jordan Ayew and Mohammed Kudus providing support for centre-forward Inaki Williams.
Gregg Berhalter also named a strong line-up that had the likes of Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, Gio Reyna, Tim Weah, Folarin Balogun and Sergino Dest all starting
After their 3-1 defeat to Germany a few days ago, the USA made a quick start to this game and their early domination paid off when Reyna slammed home from the rebound after just 10 minutes.
The Yanks continued to enjoy unchallenged incursions into Ghana’s area and were awarded a penalty when Pulisic was clumsily brought down in the box.
The AC Milan winger assumed the responsibility himself and scored from the spot to double to home side’s lead in the 22nd minute.
At this point, the USA were cueing up with the chances and Balogon was the next to get on the score sheet when he was given all the time and space to turn in the box and fire the ball home after Gideon Mensah had been dispossessed close to his goal
Reyna added a fourth late in the first half – easily firing a shot into the net from an indirect free-kick to put the game beyond Ghana’s reach.
The USA took their foot off the gas in the second half and despite a series of substitutions by Hughton to effect the game, neither side could add to the score line as the match ended 4-0.
Meanwhile, the Black Stars have now lost both of the international games. They were involved in this month after Mexico also handed them a 2-0 defeat last Sunday.
