CAF has released its list of fixtures for its African Nations Championship (CHAN) that is to be hosted by Kenya next year.

The competition, which is to be staged from January 11 to February 2, is unique in that expatriate players, regardless of where they play, even in Africa, are excluded from taking part.

CHAN round one involves four zones namely West A, West B, Central and Southern Zone and will take place in two phases.

The Round One of the matches will be held in July 2017 on a two-legged,knock-out basis with the winners advancing into the second round that will be contested in August 2017.

Kenya are hosts of the next championship and thus automatically qualify for the biennial showpiece.

Defending champions Democratic Republic of Congo have been drawn against Congo Republic.

2018 African Nations Championship qualifiers

Round one (July 11-20, 2017):

West A Zone – Sierre Leon v Senegal, Ginea Bissau v Guinea, Liberia v Mauritania, Gambia v Mali

West B Zone – Togo v Benin

Central Zone – Equatorial-Guinea v Gabon, Congo v Congo DR, Sao Tome E Prencipe v Cameroon

Southern Zone – Madagascar v Malwai, Mauritius v Seychelles