The
Chan tournament is an event for locally-based players only, and will take place
in South Africa from 11 January to 1 February next year.
Reacting
to the draw conducted in Cairo, Egypt earlier today (Wednesday, 18 September
2013), the Bafana Bafana mentor said there were no easy teams as all teams had
qualified for the January/February tournament on merit.
“It
is a tough draw, probably the toughest of the four groups but I welcome it. We
are playing at home and that should galvanise us to do well. We could have
drawn anyone and it could still have been tough because there are no easy
matches any more in international competition. We are going to need all our
best players so we can do well in this event,” said Igesund.
South
Africa opens the account against neighbours Mozambique on 11 January 2014,
followed by a clash with Mali four days later (15 January) and completes the
group stages against Nigeria on 19 January.
“On
paper this is a Group of Death but there was never going to be easy teams. It
will also give the boys a massive boost should they qualify for the next stage
having accounted for some of the big names in the early stages. So yes, it is a
tough draw but I more than welcome it,” he said.
The
draw ceremony was graced by CAF President Issa Hayatou and members of the CAF
Executive Committee and Chairman of the Organising Committee, Almamy Kabele.
Also
in attendance were SAFA President Kirsten Nematandani, Vice Presidents Chief
Mwelo Nonkonyana, (who is also Board Chairman of the Local Organising
Committee), Dr Danny Jordaan and Mr Mandla Mazibuko.
Mvuzo
Mbebe, who is the Chief Executive Officer of the LOC and Dr Molefi Oliphant,
who is a board member, were also at the event.
There
will be 32 matches played in 16 match days with Cape Town hosting two
quarterfinal games and the other two in Mangaung and Polokwane.
The
semi finals will both take place in Mangaung whilst Cape Town will host the
final and the third-place matches.
CHAN 2014 Draw:
GROUP A: South Africa,
Mozambique, Nigeria, Mali
GROUP B: Zimbabwe, Morocco,
Burkina Faso, Uganda
GROUP C: Ghana,
Congo-Brazzaville, Ethiopia, Libya
GROUP D: DR Congo,
Mauritania, Burundi, Gabon
- SAFA
