Africa starts to eye Peru 2005

Peru president Alejandro Toledo (left) attended Saturday's draw

Saturday's draw in Peru for the Fifa U-17 World Championship in September threw up some interesting groups for the three competing African nations.

Reigning African champions Gambia, who won the continent's U-17 Championship when they hosted it in May, meet holders Brazil in their opening match.

Ghana, the runners-up, have a slightly easier fixture list in Group A but meet the hosts in their opening tie.

The Ivory Coast, meanwhile, have been paired with Italy in Group C.

THE GAMBIA

Gambia's Group D ties 17/9: v Brazil 20/9: v Qatar 23/9: v Holland

The Gambia's draw with Qatar, Holland and defending champions Brazil has been greeted with mixed feelings in the west African nation.

While many believe the draw makes it hard for the African champions to reach the knock-out stages, many more fans have welcomed the challenge facing the Gambians in Group D.

"Nothing is easy in football," said Jammeh Bojang, secretary general of Gambia's FA.

"It is a question of doing your best, and Brazil are not invincible."

We are going simply to play football, not take on something from heaven Cabinet minister Samba Faal

The news has attracted attention from the government, where there is huge interest in the September tournament.

President Yahya Jammeh, who attended all Gambia's matches during May's African championship, has already promised to pay 40% of the team's air fares to Peru.

"We are in this with full force," Samba Faal, a cabinet minister, told BBC Sport.

"We have no fear of Brazil, Holland or Qatar.

"We are going simply to play football, not take on something from heaven."

The Gambians' first foray into a world championship will be a severe test since they face Brazil in their opening match.

GHANA

Ghana's Group A ties 16/9: v Peru 19/9: v Costa Rica 22/9: v China

Ghana coach David Duncan is bracing himself for a tough challenge after his side was drawn against hosts Peru, Costa Rica and China.

The Black Starlets are seeking a third title at under-17 level and Duncan believes Saturday's draw in Trujillo means the Ghanaians will have to work hard to achieve it.

"We've been drawn in a difficult group," he said.

"But we will be progressing to the next stage because if we want to be crowned world champions, we have to beat the best."

We will progress to the quarter-finals Ghana coach David Duncan

Duncan said it is imperative that the squad prepares well for a championship where the Black Starlets open their Group A campaign against their Peruvian hosts.

The coach has already banned players in his squad who play in the premier division from turning out for their clubs in the league.

The players had previously been allowed to join their clubs on weekends from Ghana's residential camp but Duncan says this will no longer happen.

IVORY COAST

Ivory Coast's Group C ties 17/9: v Italy 20/9: v North Korea 23/9: v America

The Ivory Coast think they can stun the world in Peru, where they face Italy, North Korea and the United States in Group C.

"We want to create a surprise, and our first objective is getting out of the group," coach Norbert Bohe told BBC Sport.

"Italy is a great football nation and should top the group, but after that we have our chances."

The Ivorian Football Federation is investing heavily in the Elephant Cubs, who have already started preparing for the tournament and who expect to have a training camp in Brazil or Ecuador next month.

We want to create a surprise Ivory Coast coach Norbert Bohe

Bohe believes his team will be stronger than the side that finished third in the African Championship in May.

"Since Banjul, I put the word out I was looking for new players and I have tested out some 80 new faces," he says.

"I have added some very good players."

"My defence is solid, but I need to adjust the midfield a bit and get more explosiveness up front."

Interestingly, the Ivorians are refusing to call up players based in Europe.

"It is about development, and we have more than 200 football schools here in Ivory Coast," Bohe explained.