History-making 2022 World Cup semifinalists, Morocco, must win a group including Zambia to ensure qualification for the next edition in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Congo Brazzaville, Tanzania, Niger and Eritrea complete Group E after a draw made yesterday in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire’s commercial capital, by former African stars.
Morocco became the first African or Arab country to reach the World Cup semifinals last December in Qatar before losing to France, and subsequently finished fourth.
With Europe-based stars like Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, SofyanAmrabat and Youssef el Nesyri available, they look likely winners of the section with Zambia posing the greatest threat.
Morocco are the highest placed African team in the latest FIFA rankings, ahead of Cup of Nations title-holders, Senegal, with Tunisia third.
Senegal are in Group B and the biggest danger to them is likely to come from the rapidly improving Democratic Republic of Congo, who played in the 1974 World Cup when known as Zaire.
Like Morocco, Sadio Mane-inspired Senegal are seeking a third consecutive appearance at the four-yearly global showpiece, with the next edition set for mid-2026.
Tunisia are in Group H with Equatorial Guinea, a rising force in Africa who beat the North Africans in a Cup of Nations qualifier last month.
Long-time rivals Nigeria and South Africa will clash in Group C, which includes Zimbabwe, whose FIFA ban for government interference in football was lifted three days ago.
Ghana, who made an early exit in Qatar, will fancy their chances of finishing first in Group I above Mali, the only first seeds who have not qualified for the World Cup.
Other countries in the group include Madagascar, Central African Republic, Comoros and Chad.
With the number of finalists expanding from 32 in Qatar to 48 in North and Central America, Africa are guaranteed a record nine places, and possibly 10.
Each group winner will qualify automatically and the best four runners-up enter play-offs with the winner going to inter-confederation play-offs, with two places will be up for grabs.
Matchdays one and two will be played in November, with a further two rounds next year and six in 2025. –AFP