Even as Kenya fans await anxiously for the draw for the AFCON 2019, to be conducted tonight, In Cairo, Egypt, here is what you need to know.
Kenya will appear for the 6th time with the best performance being the Group stage since its debut in1972, and participation in1988, 1990, 1992, and 2004.
The first time the tournament is being graced by four East Africa countries; Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Burundi.
The competition runs from 21 June to 19 July, and the hosts are Egypt, the most successful national team winning 7 times.
Cameroon are the defending champions after knocking out Egypt in the Gabon 2017 final and have been crowned five times winners.
Burundi, Madagascar and Mauritania will debut the tournament for the first time.
DR Congo, South Africa and Zimbabwe are teams to watch.
In addition, 24 teams will feature in this year tournament, an increase of 8 teams from previous 16 teams format.
The teams have been pooled into 4 pots as per the latest 4th, April FIFA world rankings.
The teams will then be drawn into six groups of four; where 16 teams will progress to the knockout round.
That is the top two teams from each group and four best third-placed teams.
Africa cup of nations 2019 draws pots:
Port 1: Egypt, Cameroon, Senegal, Tunisia, Nigeria and Morocco.
Port 2: DR Congo, Ghana, Mali, Ivory Coast, Guinea and Algeria.
Port 3: South Africa, Uganda, Benin, Mauritania, Madagascar and Kenya.
Port 4: Zimbabwe, Namibia, Guinea-Bissau, Angola, Tanzania and Burundi.
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