By Abiola Mujeeb
The draw for the 13th Homeless World Cup was completed on Monday with Nigeria drawn in Group A with tough teams such as Brazil, Argentina and Romania.
Other teams in Group A include Wales and Cambodia.
The other African teams in the Homeless World Cup are Namibia and South Africa, in Group B and Zimbabwe in Group H.
Egypt is the only African representative in the women’s category.
In a packed room inside the Amsterdam Arena, home of Ajax, Homeless World Cup President, Mel Young, pressed the final button to complete the 8 Men’s and 2 Women’s groups for the first stage of the tournament.
There were loud cheers as host country, the Netherlands, were drawn in their respective groups.
The Dutch men are in Group G and will play the tournament opening game against Northern Ireland.
The Dutch women will face Argentina in the opening game in Group A.
The first stage of group play begins in less than six weeks, on Saturday, September 12.
Participating men’s teams are divided into eight groups (A through H) of six teams per group.
Women’s teams are divided into two groups (A and B) of eight teams per group.
Each team will play all the teams in their group.
New groups will be created for the second round of group play based on the final standings in the first stage. All teams will have the opportunity to play for one of eight trophies in the final stage. Teams in the top half of the standings in the second stage are playing for a chance to compete for the Homeless World Cup trophy.
