Ghana will avoid the toughest sides in Africa in the 2018 World Cup group phase qualifiers as the Black Stars will be seeded when the draw is held.

That is thanks to the Black Stars excellent ranking by FIFA as Ghana are among Africa's top rated sides.

Ghana's position as the third best side in Africa by FIFA in its monthly ranking will give the Black Stars the chance to avoid the four other best sides in Africa.

This means Ghana will avoid Ivory Coast, Algeria, Cape Verde and Senegal who are among the top five sides in Africa along with the Black Stars.

The Black Stars are among the 20 sides in Africa to have sealed their places in the group phase of the qualifiers after Tuesday's matches.

The 20 counties will be divided into five groups of four with the group winners qualifying for the 2018 tournament finals in Russia.

Despite avoiding some of the big guns, other tough customers like Nigeria, Cameroon, Tunisia, Zambia, Egypt and Burkina Faso could be drawn to face the Black Stars which could prove challenging in the qualifiers.

Five places have been reserved for Africa at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.