Accra, Jan 4, GNA – Ghana has been pitted alongside arch rivals, Nigeria at the group stage of the next Africa Youth Championship billed for Libya in March.

The Black Satellites, the defending champions will fend off challenge from Cameroon and Gambia in the group regarded as the toughest for the biannual gathering.

The draw of the championship puts hosts Libya, Mali, Egypt and Lesotho together to complete the other group for the eight-team competition slated for March 18-April.

The four semi-finalists automatically qualify for the World Youth Championship in Columbia later in the year.

Ghana won the last competition in Rwanda after beating Cameroon in a cagy final before proceeding to the world event where they conquered Brazil to become the first African side to win the competition in Egypt in 2009.