Nigeria Draw African Champions in 2010 Nations Cup

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have been drawn in Group C alongside the defending African champions Egypt while a rematch against the Mambas of Mozambique is on the cards as well for Nigeria with West African neighbours Benin Republic making up the group.

In the draws held yesterday in Luanda the Angolan capital, hosts team, the Pelancras Negras was paired in Group A with Algeria; that dramatically knocked Egypt out of the World Cup race on Wednesday.

Angola will also face the Flames of Malawi, making only a second appearance at the Nations Cup, and the Eagles of Mali led by Nigerian coach Stephen Keshi.

Group B sees a fascinating pairing of favourites Cote D'Ivoire and the Black Stars of Ghana with Togo and Burkina Faso making up the group; the Burkinabes were also paired with the Elephants in the just concluded qualifying stages of the Nations Cup and World Cup.

Finally in Group D, five-time winners the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun will come up against 2004 champions the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia, Zambia and Gabon that faced Cameroun in the qualifying rounds.

The opening game of the 2010 Orange African Cup of Nations will be between hosts Angola and Mali at Luanda on January 10. The competition will run till January 31.