The Super Eagles could face a nightmare draw in the group stage of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after being placed in Pot two by the Confederation of African Football on Thursday.

In the latest Fifa rankings, Nigeria are now the sixth ranked team in Africa and occupy 40th position in the world. 

Nigeria were confined to pot two due to their standing in the continental rankings and with hosts Ivory Coast automatically among the six teams in pot one despite being ranked ninth in Africa. 

The Super Eagles face the prospect of a difficult group stage at the 2023 AFCON as they are certain to face one of Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, Algeria or Egypt. 

And in a worst case scenario, Nigeria could be drawn with South Africa, who are in pot three, and the highest ranked team in pot four, Guinea-Bissau. 

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations draw will be held in Abidjan on 12 October 2023.

Confirmed  pots for 2023 AFCON  draw 

Pot 1: Cote d’Ivoire, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt

Pot 2: Nigeria, Cameroon, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Cong DR

Pot 3: South Africa, Cape Verde, Guinea, Zambia, Equitorial Guinea, Mauritania

Pot 4: Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Namibia, Angola, Gambia, Tanzania

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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