The twelve qualifying pools for the 2023 African Cup of Nations, which were formed on Tuesday 19 April in South Africa, are almost all a perfect mix of "big" and "small" teams. In theory, the former should pass without difficulty, but the last final phase, Cameroon 2021, showed that the latter should not be buried too soon.
Given the composition of the twelve pools for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, it is tempting to bet that the teams in Pools 1 and 2 should qualify for the next finals without difficulty. These include Africa's five representatives at the 2022 World Cup, the unfortunate play-offs, the best teams from the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and a few other regulars at the continental competition.
The host
The host country, Côte d'Ivoire, is in Group H, along with Zambia, Comoros and Lesotho. With the Elephants already qualified, the other three teams in the group will fight for the only ticket at stake. It should come down to Zambia and Comoros.
The African champions
The defending champions, Senegal, will play in group L with Benin, Mozambique and Rwanda. Given their firepower and strong performances in the qualifying rounds, the Lions should secure one of the two tickets at stake. The other will be played between Benin, Mozambique and Rwanda. Suspense.
The World Cup participants
Apart from Senegal (see above) and Cameroon, who will play in pool C with Kenya, Namibia and Burundi, it is difficult to say that the teams who qualified for the World Cup have been really spoilt by fate. Morocco will have to be wary of South Africa of course, but also of Zimbabwe and Liberia. These two teams are used to making their visitors suffer, especially the "big ones".
Tunisia must be equally cautious in Group J. With Equatorial Guinea, quarter-finalists at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, and Libya in their sights, the Carthage Eagles will have to watch their backs if they are not to miss out on Côte d'Ivoire 2023.
The same goes for Ghana, who are in Group E with Madagascar, Angola and the Central African Republic. The Black stars often perform well against the "big boys" but sometimes struggle against the "little boys". The Comoros had inflicted a defeat (3-2) that eliminated them in the first round of the last AFCON.
What about Algeria and Egypt, two big frustrated teams from the CAN and the play-offs for the 2022 World Cup? The Fennecs and the Pharaohs should pass. The first are in group F with Uganda, Niger and Tanzania. The latter will face Guinea, Malawi and Ethiopia.
With Côte d'Ivoire already qualified as hosts, 23 places are up for grabs. The top two teams in each group will book their places. For groups with three teams seeking qualification, one place will be up for grabs.
The qualifiers start in June with two matches to be played for each team instead of the four initially planned. CAF has taken this precaution to ensure that the World Cup participants do not arrive at Qatar 2022 burnt out.
The twelve pools of the qualifications (AFCON 2023)
Pool A
Nigeria
Sierra Leone
Guinea-Bissau
Sao Tome and Principe or Mauritius
Pool B
Burkina Faso
Cape Verde
Togo
Eswatini
Pool C
Cameroon
Kenya
Namibia
Burundi
Pool D
Egypt
Guinea
Malawi
Ethiopia
Pool E
Ghana
Madagascar
Angola
Central African Republic
Pool F
Algeria
Uganda
Niger
Tanzania
Pool G
Mali
Congo
Gambia
South Sudan
Pool H
Ivory Coast
Zambia
Comoros
Lesotho
Pool I
DR Congo
Gabon
Mauritania
Sudan
Pool J
Tunisia
Equatorial Guinea
Libya
Botswana
Pool K
Morocco
South Africa
Zimbabwe
Liberia
Pool L
Senegal
Benin
Mozambique
Rwanda
