South Africa as hosts and Nigeria as title holders qualified automatically, while the remaining six spots were determined by the qualification rounds which took place between June and August 2000.

Cameroon won by default and qualified for the group stage after Gabon failed to show up for the second leg.

Zimbabwe originally entered this tournament's inaugural edition, but withdrew before playing any match.

The following referees were named for this edition of the tournament: If two or more teams in the group stage are tied on points tie-breakers are in order: A match at the third-place match with a levelled score at the end of 90 minutes would go to an extra time of 30 minutes is played and followed by a penalty shoot-out if necessary.

1 The match was abandoned in the 73rd minute with Nigeria leading 2–0 after fans started throwing objects at the referee following the second goal, with riot police arriving 40 minutes later and firing tear gas in the crowds; fans needed hospital treatment and cars belonging to journalists were attacked as they were leaving the stadium.