Ghana handed tough draw in 2012 Africa Nations Cup

By Ameenu Shardow

Ghana will face Botswana, Mali and Guinea in next year's Africa Cup of Nations, GHANAsoccernet.com can exclusively reveal.

The Black Stars drawn in Group D will be based in the Gabonese city of Franceville.

Ghana will thus open their Nations Cup account with an interesting tie against debutants Botswana before battling West African neighbours Mali in the second group game.

The four-time African champions will round off its group campaign with a tough game against boogie side Guinea - a side that denied Nigeria a place in the finals.

Ghana alongside Cote d"Ivoire have been tipped as overwhelming favourites for the title following the absence of giants; Egypt, Cameroon, Nigeria and South Africa (all former CAN winners).

The 28th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations which kicks off on January 21 and ends on February 12 will be jointly hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

Group A (Bata): Equatorial Guinea, Libya, Senegal and Zambia.

Group B (Malabo): Cote d"Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Sudan and Angola.

Group C (Libreville): Gabon, Tunisia, Morocco and Niger. 

Group D (Franceville): Ghana, Botswana, Mali and Guinea.