Tokyo Olympics: Egypt, CIV, South Africa, Zambia drawn into tough groups in football

THE African representatives in both the men’s and women’s football events of the Tokyo Olympics have been drawn into difficult looking groups against the world’s best teams.

Nigeria, who won men’s gold (1996), silver (2008) and bronze (2016) in the past, for the first time in years will not be presenting at least one team in the Olympics football events.

The draws for both men’s and women’s events were held on Wednesday at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.

South Africa, Egypt and Cote d’Ivoire are the African teams in the men’s tournament, while Zambia represent the continent in the women’s event.

The men’s tournament has 16 teams split into four groups, with the women’s event having 12 teams in three pools.South Africa are drawn alongside host Japan, Mexico, and European heavyweights France in Group A.

Cote d’Ivoire on their part are in the potentially toughest group of the men’s event, as they will face 2016 gold medallists Brazil, 2016 silver medallists Germany and Saudi Arabia.

Egypt are in Group C with Spain, 2004 and 2008 gold medallists Argentina, as well as Australia.Zambia have been drawn into Group F alongside three of the world’s best women’s teams: The Netherlands, China and Brazil.

The women’s final will be held at Tokyo’s iconic new Olympic Stadium, which will also be the setting for the Games’ opening and closing ceremonies. Sapporo, Miyagi, Kashima, Saitama and Yokohama (men’s final) will host the other matches until 7 August 2021.

Both the men’s and women’s Olympic Football Tournaments will be played in a group stage, followed by quarter-finals, semi-finals and bronze medal and gold medal matches.

Men’s groups
Group A: Japan, South Africa, Mexico, France.
Group B: New Zealand, Korea Republic, Honduras, Romania.
Group C: Egypt, Spain, Argentina, Australia.
Group D: Brazil, Germany, Côte d’Ivoire, Saudi Arabia.

Women’s groups 
Group E: Japan, Canada, Great Britain, Chile.
Group F: China PR, Brazil, Zambia, Netherlands.
Group G: Sweden, USA, Australia, New Zealand.