The schedule for the 2006 African Nations Cup finals, released by the Confederation of African Football in Cairo on Thursday (kickoff times GMT):

GROUP A: (all to be played at the Cairo Stadium, Cairo unless stated)

Jan 20: A1 v A2, (1700)

Jan 21: A3 v A4, (1200)

Jan 24: A2 v A4, (1515)

: A1 v A3, (1800)

Jan 28: A1 v A4, (1700)

: A2 v A3, Military Stadium, Cairo (1700)

GROUP B: (all to be played at the Military Stadium, Cairo unless stated)

Jan 21: B1 v B2, (1515)

B3 v B4, (1800)

Jan 25: B2 v B4, (1515)

B1 v B3, (1800)

Jan 29: B2 v B3, Cairo Stadium, Cairo (1700)

B1 v B4, (1700)

GROUP C: (all to be played Alexandria 1 Stadium, Alexandria unless stated)

Jan 22: C1 v C2, (1515)

C3 v C4, (1800)

Jan 26: C2 v C4, (1515)

C1 v C3, (1800)

Jan 30: C1 v C4, (1700)

C2 v C3, Alexandria 2 Stadium, Alexandria (1700)

GROUP D: (all to be played Port Said Stadium, Port Said unless stated)

Jan 23: D1 v D2, (1515)

: D3 v D4, (1800)

Jan 27: D2 v D4, (1515)

D1 v D3, (1800)

Jan 31: D1 v D4, (1700)

: D2 v D3, Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia (1700)

QUARTER-FINALS

February 3: (match 26) Winner Group C v Runner-up Group D, Alexandria 1 Stadium, Alexandria (1300)

February 3: (match 25) Winner Group A v Runner-up Group B, Cairo Stadium, Cairo (1700)

February 4: (match 28) Winner Group D v Runner-up Group C, Port Said Stadium, Port Said (1300)

February 4: (match 27) Winner Group B v Runner-up Group A, Military Stadium, Cairo (1700)

SEMIFINALS

February 7: Winner Match 27 v Winner Match 28 Alexandria 1 Stadium, Alexandria (1300)

February 7: Winner Match 25 v Winner Match 26, Cairo Stadium, Cairo (1700)

THIRD PLACE PLAY-OFF

February 9: Military stadium, Cairo (1600)

FINAL

February 10: Cairo stadium, Cairo (1600)

Notes:

The top three teams in each of the five qualifying groups qualify for the 2006 finals, along with hosts Egypt. In Egypt's qualifying group, the first three finishers excluding Egypt will qualify. The World Cup qualifiers are also being used as qualifiers for the Nations Cup. The holders no longer gain automatic entry to the Nations Cup finals.