Botswana coach Stanley Tshosane has said he still expects a very tough Africa Cup of Nations despite the fact that some of the continent�s top guns will not be in attendance.
Seven-time champions Egypt, Cameroon, Nigeria and Algeria have all missed out on next year�s tournament to be jointly staged by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
But Tshosane, whose Zebras will be making their debut in the competition proper, said he still expects a big battle for supremacy when Africa�s 16 top teams clash from January.
�I differ with those that say since Egypt and Cameroon are not there it will be easy because all the other teams have qualified on merit,� said the coach, whose team upstaged 2004 champions Tunisia to finish top of Group K in fine style.
Botswana were Saturday drawn in Group D along with three West African teams Ghana, Mali and Guinea and open their campaign on January 24 in the Gabonese city of Frenchville with a cracking tie against four-time champions and one of the leading tournament favourites Ghana.
�The draw will help us plan,� Tshoshane simply told MTNFootball.com
Botswana are scheduled to have more ideas of what West African football is all about when they play against Nigeria�s Super Eagles in a friendly on November 12.
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