Ghana has been handed arguably the toughest group in next year's Afcon tournament after they were pitched against in-form South Africa and Algeria.

Senegal concludes Group C in what will be a thoroughly incredible battle of death.

The draw was conducted a while ago in the Equatorial Guinean capital Malabo.           

With South Africa masterminding the painful exit of defending champions Nigeria from next year's tournament; Algeria enjoying a fine run from the World Cup and in the qualifiers; Senegal in a new class of their own and Ghana under a new coach Avram Grant it remains to be seen which two countries will make it out of the group.

Hosts E. Guinea sit in Group A and will be pitching their strength against Gabon, Congo and Burkina Faso.

In Group  B, 2012 winners Zambia have a tough nut to crack in Tunisia, DR Congo and Cape Verde.

Group D will see an all West Africa battle as pundits look ahead to a crunchy duel between Cameroon and Ivory Coast. Mali and Guinea will conclude the story of Group D.

The Nations Cup will begin on January 17 and end on February 8, 2015.

 

Follow the live updates of the event held in Malabo;

1923 Aboutrika from Egypt is invited to pick for the last batch of countries.

Group A Equatorial Guinea, Congo, Gabon, Burkina Faso

Group B Zambia, DR Congo Cape Verde, Tunisia

 Group C Ghana, Senegal, South Africa, Algeria

Group D Cote D'Ivoire, Guinea, Cameroon, Mali

 

1917 The coach of Cameroon is invited to pick the countries

Group A Equatorial Guinea, Congo, Gabon

Group B Zambia, DR Congo Cape Verde

 Group C Ghana, Senegal, South Africa

Group D Cote D'Ivoire, Guinea, Cameroon

 

1913 An Equatorial Guinea player is called to pick the next round of countries. He does.

Group A Equatorial Guinea, Congo

Group B Zambia, DR Congo

Group C Ghana, Senegal

Group D Cote D'Ivoire, Guinea

1905 Host Equatorial Guinea is in Group A1 while 15 remaining countries will be placed in sub groups according to CAF's ranking. The first country to be picked will go to B1 and same procedure will be repeated to get C1 and D1. Ibrahim Scheik Mashaba is invited to assist in the draw. He picks.

Zambia is in Group B

Ghana is Group C

Cote D'Ivoire Group D

1900 FACTS about the qualifiers: Jonathan Petriopa was the top goal scorer in the AFCON 2015 qualifiers with six goals. Cote Divoire was the highest scoring team with 13 goals. Cameroon conceded only two goals.

1857 There is a short musical interlude to welcome the most anticipated part of the event which is the main draw.

1845 Teodoro Obiang Nguema takes his turn to address the gathering. He admits the challenges of ebola but says the commentaries about the disease make people doubt their abilities. He says government has taken measures to fight Ebola. As of date no case of Ebola has been recorded in his country. He says they will ensure that sick people will not enter the country and its even against travel arrangements for sick people to travel.

1835 Caf President Issa Hayatou mounts the podium and pays glowing tribute to Equatorial Guinea president Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo for taking the bold and courageous decision to host the tournament. He assures him that CAF will never forget this gesture. He says it looks like a risk to organise tournament in two months but Equatorial has shown the way. Issa Hayatou hopes the hosts will live up to expectation. As an acknowledgement, he invites Obiang Nguema on stage and hands him the gold plated Nations Cup trophy as a symbol.

1830 A short advert is played in which key stakeholders in the African game as well as doctors in Africa call for support in the fight against Ebola across the world but especially in Africa. The ad invites donors to contribute to the fight.

1820 Acclaimed saxophonist, Manu Dibango entertains guests to some of the favourite tunes.

1815 The story of the African Cup of Nations is told from the beginning in 1957 through the 90s and now to 2015. A rich history it is, replete with many winners including Egypt, Cameroon, Nigeria and of course Ghana.

1810 Renowned Congolese journalist and broadcaster, Robert Brazza opens the draw with a succinct introduction followed by a crisp, yet exciting musical interlude.

1800  Pot 1: Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Zambia

         Pot 2: Burkina Faso, Mali, Tunisia, Algeria

         Pot 3: Cape Verde, South Africa, Cameroon, Gabon

         Pot 4: Guinea, Senegal, DR Congo, Congo

The Black Stars of Ghana will know in the next few minutes which group and which countries they will be paired against in next year's AFCON tournament to be hosted in Equatorial Guinea. Ghana are top seeds in Pot 1 together with hosts Equatorial Guinea Zambia and Cote d'Ivoire. Myjoyonline.com will give you live updates on the events in the Equitorial Guinean capital Malabo.