Nigeria and the 23 other countries that qualified for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations will Friday evening know who their group opponents will be.
This is the first time in the history of the competition that 24 teams will be taking part.
The draw ceremony is scheduled to take place behind the famous Giza Pyramids from 7 p.m. Nigerian time.
Fourteen countries, of the 54 nations of CAF, have won the AFCON trophy. They are Egypt, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, DR Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Algeria, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Africa, Tunisia, Morocco, Congo-Brazzaville and Zambia.
Six others have reached the final without ever winning it. These include Mali, Burkina Faso, Uganda, Guinea, Libya and Senegal.
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The stage is set and top stars in African football are all in for this glorious event
Yaya at the event
The CAF President Ahmad Ahmad, FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura all in as the night begins with a short documentary on the history of the Africa Cup of Nations
From Three to six to eight teams, the AFCON has been expanded to accommodate 24 teams
The CAF President set to give his opening remark
The audience listens with rapt attention as Ahmad Ahmad delivers his speech
Some entertainment to spice up the night… A group from Austria is set for an acrobatic show
The performers are well appreciated with a thunderous applause from the audience
A short documentary on Egypt is been aired… The Pharaohs are the most successful team as far as the Africa Cup of Nations is concerned…They have won the competition seven times
The six venues for AFCON 2019 are: Cairo International Stadium; Borg El-Arab Stadium, Alexandria; Suez Stadium; Air Defence Stadium; Ismailia Stadium and Al Salam Stadium.
Hany Abo Rida, President Egyptian Football Association and the head of the local organising committee for the AFCON 2019 addresses the audience
He has given his assurances that Egypt will host a spectacular tournament
Another performance for the night, this time from Egyptian group Fabrica
The group is performing with the jerseys of the 24 qualified teams… The Super Eagles jersey that turned heads during the World Cup in Russia is very conspicuous here
Egypt Prime Minister, Mustafa Madbouli takes his turn to address the audience
More entertainment being served before the major business of the night
Another fantastic performance
We are now moving to the main part for the night where the countries will know their groups and what city they would be playing
Anthony Baffoe former Ghana Captain set to get the draws underway
Odion Ighalo is confirmed as the highest goal scorer in the AFCON qualifying series
10 of the 24 teams that would be competing in Egypt have won at least an AFCON title
A documentary on how the teams qualified now been shown.. Nigeria qualified for the 18th time for the AFCON with a game to spare
Morrocan legend Mostoupha Hadji invited to the stage to help out with the draw
El-Hadj Diouf joins Hadji on he stage
Another legend Hammed Hossam joins Diouf and Hadji on the stage, Hossam won the AFCON four times with Egpyt, he gives some tips on how to win the coveted trophy
Yaya Toure says it is a big honour for him to be here tonight and he expects a fantastic show with the new 24 teams format
Different Pots
Pot 1: Egypt, Cameroon, Senegal, Tunisia, Nigeria, Morocco
Pot 2: DR Congo, Ghana, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Algeria
Pot 3: South Africa, Uganda, Benin Republic, Mauritania, Madagascar, Kenya
Pot 4: Zimbabwe, Namibia, Guinea Bissau, Angola, Tanzania, Burundi
The draw procedure is being explained
Zimbabwe is the first team to be drawn, they would face Egpyt in the opening game
Burundi first time qualifiers are in Group B, Tanzania in Group C
Angola in Group E
Guinea Bissau in F
Teams in Pot 4 placed in groups
Uganda join Egypt and Zimbabwe in Group A
Madagascar are in Group B with Brundi
Kenya join Tanzania in Group C
South Africa and Nambia are in Group D
Complete: GROUP A : Egypt, DR Congo, Uganda Zimbabwe
Group B: Guinea Madagascar, Burundi so far
Group D Ivory Coast South Africa Mali
Group E: Mali Mauritania, Angola
Group B: Nigeria Guinea Madagascar, Burundi
Group C: Senegal, Algeria Kenya Tanzania
Group D Morocco, Ivory Coast South Africa Mali
Group E: Tunisia Mali Mauritania, Angola
GROUP A: Egypt, DR Congo, Uganda Zimbabwe
Group B: Nigeria Guinea Madagascar, Burundi
Group C: Senegal, Algeria Kenya Tanzania
Group D Morocco, Ivory Coast South Africa Mali
Group E: Tunisia Mali Mauritania, Angola
Group E: Cameroon Ghana Benin G.Bissau,
