Ghana plays Benin in WC opener

Ghana's opening match in the 2010 World Cup and CAF Nations Cup qualifying series begins with a home match against West African neighbour, Benin, on March 28, 2009.

Matches are scheduled for six weekends from next March to November with the exception of a June fixture involving Egypt, which must be delayed one month because of their involvement in the FIFA Confederations Cup.

The Black Stars, seeded as the top team in Group 4 were paired with Benin, Mali and Sudan after Wednesday's draw of Africa's 20 sides into five groups of four teams.

The opening home game against the Squirrels would be followed up three months later with two successive away fixtures.

Mali would host Ghana on June 6 before the Black Stars go on to play Sudan, June 20, thus two weeks after the Mali game.

The qualifier takes a break after the third round of matches and returns in September. Ghana would welcome Sudan in the reverse fixture on September 5 when the competition resumes.

Ghana would play its penultimate group game away to Benin on October 10.

The Black Stars, in their bid to reach a second straight World Cup in South Africa 2010, would round up the campaign with a home tie against Mali on November 14.

The Ghana Football Association is yet to confirm the home match venues for the 2010 World Cup and CAF Nations Cup qualifying campaign.

The joint qualifying campaign will decide which five teams will join hosts South Africa at the tournament in 2010.

The qualification process will also decide the 15 teams who will join host Angola to take part at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.

Ghana Fixtures

March 29: v Benin at home

June 6-7: v Mali away

June 20: v Sudan away

September 5: v Sudan at home

October 10: v Benin away

November 14: v Mali at home