The draw for the final round of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations took place today in Zurich, Switzerland.
So what happened?
African champions Egypt were handed what many would consider to be the best of the five group draws.
The Egyptians will face Algeria, Zambia and Rwanda in Group C as they attempt to reach their third World Cup finals.
Cameroon, the highest ranked African country, were drawn against Morocco, Gabon and Togo.
Ghana will face Benin, who have cruised through the qualifiers to date, as well as Mali and Sudan.
Nigeria will face Tunisia, Kenya, and Mozambique, while 2006 World Cup finalists Ivory Coast will meet Guinea, Burkina Faso and Malawi.
The 20 remaining African nations were drawn into five groups of four teams each.
The five group winners qualify directly for the 2010 World Cup finals, while the first three in each group will go to Angola to contest the African Cup of Nations in the same year.
Hosts South Africa qualify for the World Cup automatically, but were knocked out of the African Cup of Nations at the first group stage of qualifying.
The final round of qualifying matches will begin in March 2009.So, how about some analysis?
BBC Sport was so kind as to offer us a breakdown of the groups vying for a spot in the first African World Cup. Here are some excerpts ...
Group A is a Francophone affair, and a tough test for any team hoping to make it to the World Cup in 2010.
Cameroon may be Africa's top-ranked side, but they will know there is no easy passage through a group which also includes Morocco, Gabon and 2006 World Cup contenders Togo.Cameroon boss Otto Pfister knows all about Togo. He lead them through that chaotic campaign in Germany and will now meet his old charges as he tries to lead the Indomitable Lions to South Africa and Angola.
Gabon will be fired up to try and embarrass their illustrious neighbours and Morocco are looking for a resurgence under new coach Roger Lemerre.
There is no free passage to 2010 from Group A.
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