Tournament hosts Morocco have been handed a potentially difficult group in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) draw.
The Atlas Lionesses will face Zambia and DR Congo, the highest-ranked sides in pots one and three respectively, and Senegal in Group A.
Zambia beat the North Africans over two legs in April to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Morocco are coached by Jorge Vilda, who led Spain to the Women’s World Cup title in 2023.
Meanwhile, defending champions South Africa have been drawn with Ghana, Mali and Tanzania in Group C.
Group B will consist of record 11-time continental champions Nigeria, Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana.
The top two sides in each group will progress to the quarter-finals, alongside the two best third-placed finishers.
The tournament will take place in Morocco from 5-26 July next year.
Qualification for the 2024 Wafcon was completed in December last year, but sides will have waited 18 months by the time the finals kick off.
The Confederation of African Football was forced to push the finals into 2025 because of international football’s congested calendar, which included the participation of Nigeria and Zambia at the Olympics.
Banyana Banyana ‘will not be cocky’
Morocco also staged the 2022 edition of Wafcon, ending as runners-up, and former international Fatiha Laassiri believes home support will provide “a real advantage” next year.
But, with Senegal exiting on penalties in the quarter-finals last time around and DR Congo back at the finals for the first time since 2012, ex-Nigeria goalkeeper Rachael Ayegba thinks Group A is the one to watch.
“Senegal played well in 2022 and I’m not going to be surprised if they play even better,” she told BBC Sport Africa.
“DR Congo are ready to showcase what they can bring to the table. I think Morocco and Zambia will have the upper hand but Senegal and DR Congo might disrupt things.”
Ayegba also warned Nigeria about complacency after Botswana and Tunisia made the quarter-finals two years ago.
“Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana are going to give Nigeria a fight,” she added. “Anything is possible in Group B.”
Meanwhile, South Africa goalkeeper Andile Dlamini said Banyana Banyana are “not going to be cocky” as they prepare to defend their title.
“The top three countries (Nigeria, South Africa and Morocco) finished in the last 16 at the 2023 Women’s World Cup and anyone is capable of winning this tournament,” added the 32-year-old.
“It depends on who excels on the specific day.”
Wafcon 2024 group draw
Group A: Morocco (hosts, 59), Zambia (62), Senegal (83), DR Congo (102).
Group B: Nigeria (36), Tunisia (78), Algeria (84), Botswana (153).
Group C: South Africa (holders, 50), Ghana (66), Mali (81), Tanzania (145).
World ranking in brackets.