Zambia has been drawn in Group F of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alongside Africa's number one ranked side Morocco, two-time African champions DR Congo, and neighboring Tanzania. The Chipolopolo Boys will have to face 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinalists Morocco and Tanzania, whom they were also drawn against in the qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Zambia, who missed three editions of the AFCON, will be based in the port city of San Pedro and will play their matches at the 20,000-capacity Laurent Pokou Stadium. In other draws, hosts Ivory Coast have an interesting date against three-time African champions Nigeria, 2015 semifinalists Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau. Group B sees an exciting tie between seven-time champions Egypt and four-time champions Ghana. Cape Verde and Mozambique complete the group. Defending champions Senegal have been drawn against fellow heavyweight Cameroon in group C and will also compete against regular qualifiers Guinea and Gambia, who are making their second appearance. In group D, two-time champions Algeria have been handed a fair draw against 2013 finalists Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and 2010 hosts Angola. Group E sees an open group with 2004 champions Tunisia being drawn against the ever-present Mali, 1996 champions South Africa, and Namibia, who return to the tournament since 2019. The top two teams in each group plus the four best third finishers will advance to the round of 16. The 2023 AFCON will be played at six stadiums in five cities across the nation of Ivory Coast from January 13 to February 11, 2023. Ivory Coast faces Guinea-Bissau on January 13, 2024, in the opening fixture of the tournament. Zambia will be hoping to make a good impression at the AFCON, having missed the previous three editions. The Chipolopolo Boys have a talented squad, but they will need to be at their best to progress from a tough Group F. GROUPS IN FULL: Group A Ivory Coast (Hosts), Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau Group B Egypt, Ghana, Cape Verde, Mozambique Group C Senegal, Cameroon, Guinea, The Gambia Group D Algeria, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Angola Group E Tunisia, Mali, South Africa, Namibia Group F Morocco, DR Congo, Zambia, Tanzania