After the conclusion of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations won by Zambia weeks ago, focus has now shifted to the 2013 event to be hosted by South Africa. Kenya is also seeking her place among continental football elites and will kick-off her campaign with a Round 1 match against Togo on February 29.
The draw for the 2013 qualifiers was conducted in Malabo Equatorial Guinea on 28 October 2011. A total of 47 African countries will take part in the qualifiers.
The qualification format deviates from the norm as there will be no groups stages but only three knockout stages i.e. Preliminary, Round 1 and Round 2.
All teams the 16 teams that participated in the 2012 event in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea will only have one knockout match to play (Round 2 automatically) while lowly ranked teams have already started their campaign ( Preliminary).
Lesotho and Sao Tome sailed from the Preliminary round and will join other 26 nations in the first round of the qualifiers. Kenya and Togo are part of the 28 teams that excludes all countries that qualified for 2012 event.
A two legged paired tie will reduce the number by half i.e. if Kenya beats Togo in the home and away matches ,She will be part of the 14 countries that will make it to the second and final round.
All the 16 nations that made it to Gabon and Equatorial Guinea will join in the third round to bring the total number of countries to 30.
Again the teams will be paired for a two legged tie that will eliminate half the number and ensure only 15 teams are left.
These 15 teams will join hosts South Africa to make the number 16.
This means that should Kenya beat Togo and the next opponent in round two, we will be in South Africa next year.
Round 1:
Date 3: February 29, 2012
Date 4: June 15-17, 2012
Round 2:
Date 5: First leg on September 07-08-09, 2012
Date 6: Second leg on October 12-13, 14, and 2012
Like this Facebook page MICHEZOAFRIKA or follow us on Twitter @michezoafrika for timely updates