CECAFA U20 finalists Uganda and South Sudan have found themselves in the same group following the U20 Africa Cup of Nations group stage draw conducted in Cairo, Egypt on Friday.

Uganda and South Sudan reached the final of the qualification campaign in the CECAFA Zone before the former edged the latter 2-1 to defend their crown in Sudan in November.

The two regional sides qualified for the AFCON and are pooled in Group B alongside the Central African Republic and Congo.

South Sudan will be playing the continent’s greatest football showpiece for the first time whereas Uganda will be taking part for the second time in a row.

During their maiden appearance in 2021 in Mauritania, Uganda reached the final before losing 2-0 to Ghana.

It is important to note that ahead of the 2023 edition in Egypt, the defending champions Ghana will not be participating after failing to qualify.

The tournament will be played from 19 February to 11 March 2023 in Egypt: Cairo, Ismailia, and Alexandria.

The top four teams will qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup to be held in Indonesia later on in 2023.