The draw for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025, qualifiers was held in Johannesburg on Thursday.
48 African countries will be aiming to qualify for the 35th edition of the biennial Africa showpiece in an attempt to dethrone coach Emerse Fae's Cote d'Ivoire as continental kings.
Fae - one of the two draw assistants together with Morocco legend Marouane Chamakh - saw his side placed in a tricky group as they bid to defend their title.
Cote d'Ivoire are defending champions after defeating Nigeria 2-1 in the final of the continent's flagship sports competition in Abidjan earlier this year.
The Elephants were placed in Group G where they will play former champions Zambia, Sierra Leone and Chad.
Hosts Morocco were placed in Group B.
The Atlas Lions will take on Gabon, Central African Republic and Lesotho.
Morocco will approach this qualifying campaign with less pressure since they are already assured of participating in the competition on home ground.
The much-coveted trophy will be put back into play with the start of the qualifiers for the next TotalEnergies CAF AFCON which will take place in the North African country.
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