Champions Nigeria will face a Titanic battle in their quest to defend their U23 AFCON crown following the qualification of Ghana, Zambia and Cameroon for the tournament proper in Egypt in November.
The eight-team competition, which will also serve as qualifying tournament for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, will be headlined by hosts Egypt, who are the only North African country present.
The tournament will be staged between November 8 to 22.
The top two teams will represent Africa at next year’s Olympics in Tokyo.
Nigeria won bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics after they topped the 2015 U23 AFCON in Senegal.
U23 AFCON Qualifiers:
Egypt, Nigeria, Zambia, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, South Africa Mali, Ghana
