Team-by-Team Guide to this year's African Cup of Nations
Group A
GHANA
The previous two editions of the Nations Cup have been won by the hosts, and most Ghanaians are fully expecting Claude LeRoy's men to make it three in a row - despite the loss of influential captain Stephen Appiah to injury.
English Premiership stars Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari give the four-time winners strength and technical quality in midfield, while Udinese striker Asamoah Gyan should receive good support from the Dutch-born Quincy Owusu-Abeyie who has been granted permission to represent the country of his parents.
Coach:Nobody has coached in more Nations Cup matches than French man Claude LeRoy who takes part in his seventh campaign, following spells with Cameroon, Senegal and DR Congo, and aims to add to the 1988 title he secured with the Indomitable Lions.
English Premier League Players:Richard Kingson (Birmingham City), John Pantsil (West Ham) Michael Essien (Chelsea), Sulley Muntari (Portsmouth).
One to Watch:Disciplinary problems cost Quincy Owusu-Abeyie his chance with Arsenal, but the 22-year-old forward - now with Celta Vigo - excelled for the Netherlands at youth level and has pace to burn.
Verdict:Quarter-finals.
MOROCCO
Unbeaten throughout qualifying, the Atlas Lions are participating in a fifth successive Nations Cup and have a genuine chance to add to their solitary 1976 title.
Henri Michel's squad is compromised mainly of domestic and French-based players, including three from Ligue 1 high-flyers Nancy. Youssouf Hadji has been exceptional for Nancy this term and forms an exciting attacking trident with Porto's Tarik Sektioui and Marouane Chamakh of Bordeaux.
"We have a real chance," says Chamakh. "The squad is full of quality and this time we have experience as well."
Coach:Famously branded "a sack of shit" by Eric Cantona during his time as France boss, Henri Michel has gained more respect in Africa where the French man has coached for 14 years and is enjoying his second spell with Morocco.
One to Watch:Nancy's dynamic forward Youssouf Hadji has finally emerged from the shadow of his older brother - the former Aston Villa player Mustapha - and was Morocco's player of the year in 2007.
Verdict:Beaten finalists.
GUINEA
The Syli National can beat anybody on their day, but they remain infuriatingly inconsistent - as the shock defeat by Cape Verde in qualifying showed. With skilful playmakers Pascal Feindouno (Saint-Etienne) and Fode Mansare (Toulouse) providing ammunition for Dynamo Kyiv's promising striker Ismael Bangoura, scoring should not be a problem, however the defence relies too heavily on Celtic's Bobo Balde. Much could depend on their ability to upset the hosts in the opener. "Ghana will be the side under pressure, not us," warns Feindouno.
Coach: A French man of vast experience, Robert Nouzaret, 64, salvaged Guinea's qualification campaign after taking charge a year ago and is out to re-establish his reputation following a disappointing spell with Côte d'Ivoire.
One to Watch: Guinea's fate is likely to hinge on the form of their mercurial captain Pascal Feindouno who is capable of winning games with a moment of brilliance and continues to attract the attention of Liverpool's Rafael Benitez.
Verdict:Third in group.
NAMIBIA
One of the finest moments of Namibia's brief footballing history was soured by the tragic death of their coach Ben Bamfuchile just three months after reaching the Nations Cup for only the second time.
The 47-year-old Zambian passed away due to illness in December, having masterminded a fine campaign that climaxed with a dramatic 3-2 win away to Ethiopia. New coach Arie Schans faces a daunting task and, with just three European-based players in the squad, damage limitation is likely to be the Dutch man's principal goal.
Coach:After coaching for many years in the Dutch lower leagues, former defender Schans, 56, gained experience in Japan, Bhutan and Mozambique, and was in charge of Chinese Super League club Changchun Yatai before accepting the Namibia challenge.
One to Watch: With the majority of an inexperienced squad based in Namibia and South Africa, Hamburg's Collin Benjamin will need to be at his combative best to ensure the Brave Warriors do not get totally overrun in midfield.
Verdict:Fourth in group.
Group B
NIGERIA
Several Premiership managers may secretly be hoping the Super Eagles fall at the first hurdle after Berti Vogts named a record nine English-based players in his squad, including seven from the top flight.
But while anything could happen in the undisputed "group of death", Nigeria should reach the semi-finals, at least, for a fifth time running. Their spine is exceptional, with centre backs Rabiu Afolabi and Joseph Yobo protected by John Obi Mikel, and up front, Nwankwo Kanu can be used sparingly in his fifth Nations Cup as Obafemi Martins, Yakubu and Stephen Makinwa share striking duties.
Coach:Berti Vogts knows what it takes to win a continental trophy having taken Germany all the way at Euro '96, but the 62-year-old disappointed in his last two jobs with Kuwait and Scotland.
English Premier League Players:Nwankwo Kanu and John Utaka (both Portsmouth), Obafemi Martins (Newcastle), John Obi Mikel (Chelsea), Yakubu and Joseph Yobo (both Everton), Dickson Etuhu (Sunderland).
One to Watch:Away from the trials and tribulations of St James' Park, Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins could return to his devastating best and challenge the likes of Drogba and Eto'o for the golden boot.
Verdict:Winners.
CÔTE D'IVOIRE
Fancied by many to claim their first title since 1992, the Elephants were dealt a severe blow when their German coach Uli Stielike resigned earlier this month after his son fell into a coma. French man Gerard Gili has been drafted in from the nation's Olympic side, but worryingly admits he has "hardly seen the senior team play in the last year".
Gili inherits an unbalanced squad that includes nine very good forwards and just five midfielders, yet with players such as Kolo Toure, his brother Yaya, Aruna Dindane and Didier Drogba, they will be difficult to stop.
Coach:Former Marseille boss Gerard Gili has had little time to prepare, though he knows most of the players already, having worked as Henri Michel's assistant when Côte d'Ivoire reached the final in Egypt two years ago.
English Premier League Players:Emmanuel Eboue and Kolo Toure (both Arsenal), Abdoulaye Meite (Bolton), Didier Zokora (Tottenham), Emerse Fae (Reading), Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou (both Chelsea).
One to Watch:Chelsea's loss will be Côte d'Ivoire's gain as Didier Drogba returns from a knee operation in time to lead his country in Ghana. A fierce patriot, Drogba is at his most prolific in international soccer, having scored 30 times in 45 appearances.
Verdict:Quarter-finals.
MALI
Having missed out two years ago, Mali qualified for Ghana, but in harrowing circumstances. Last October, a decisive 2-0 win over Togo in Lome finished in a full-scale riot during which Frederic Kanoute and Stoke striker Mamady Sidibe were attacked by fans.
"It was the worst thing I've ever seen in soccer," said a shell-shocked Kanouté who had to be talked out of international retirement. Should the Sevilla striker find top form, the Eagles have a great chance. Their midfield of Mahamadou Diarra, Momo Sissoko and Seydou Keita is arguably the most robust in Africa.
Coach:Former defender Jean-François Jodar, (59), was France's assistant coach in the late 1980s and has great experience in youth soccer, but the forthcoming event represents his biggest challenge yet.
English Premier League Players: Momo Sissoko (Liverpool).
One to Watch:An immense influence in midfield, it is no coincidence that Eagles captain Mahamadou Diarra has finished as a champion with his clubs for each of the last five seasons, four times with Lyon and last year at Real Madrid.
Verdict:Third in group.
BENIN
The aptly-named Squirrels will do well to avoid getting crushed by the Elephants or picked off by the Eagles after exceeding expectations to reach their second Nations Cup. The team spirit that helped Benin overcome Togo in qualification has been compromised by a tactless attempt to find new talent from the country's FA who organised open trials in Paris for anybody qualified to represent the West African nation.
"It's an insult to the guys who fought like to crazy to qualify, and has made us a laughing stock in Africa," said Benin's French-based captain Anicet Adjamossi.
Coach:Local coaches Edme Codjo and Wabi Gomez guided Benin through qualifying, but it was decided in December that the more experienced German Reinhardt Fabisch, who has had spells with Zimbabwe and Kenya, should oversee the campaign in Ghana.
One to Watch:Razak Omotoyossi has formed a lethal partnership with Henrik Larsson at Swedish club Helsingborg, and the powerful 22-year-old could do real damage given reasonable service.
Verdict:Fourth in group.
Group C
EGYPT
The Pharaohs won the Nations Cup for a record fifth time on home soil two years ago, but an indifferent qualifying campaign that included draws with Mauritania, Botswana and Burundi suggests the side has regressed.
With Middlesbrough striker Mido injured, and the country's greatest scorer Hossam Hassan retired, coach Hassan Shehata needs Hamburg forward Mohamed Zidan to finally deliver on the international stage if he is to become the second trainer to clinch back-to-back wins. "It would be the biggest achievement of my career," Shehata said.
Coach:Former Egypt midfielder Hassan Shehata will have benefited from the 2006 experience and is unlikely to be losing sleep over Mido's absence given their spectacular falling out two years ago, which culminated in a bout of fisticuffs during the semi-final.
English Premier League player:Mohamed Shawky (Middlesbrough).
One to Watch:One of five Al-Ahly players, midfielder Mohamed Aboutrika starred in the previous Nations Cup and recently finished second to Essien in the BBC's African player of the year award.
Verdict:Third in the group.
CAMEROON
Preparations have been disrupted by Barcelona's reluctance to release Samuel Eto'o and by the outbreak of civil unrest in Kenya where they had planned a training camp. Eto'o was granted an extra week's leave, while the squad get-together got switched to Burkina Faso.
Nevertheless, the four-time winners should be a force with experienced campaigners like Geremi and Rigobert Song - appearing in a record-equalling seventh Nations Cup - ably supported by a talented new generation that includes goalkeeper Idriss Kameni (Espanyol) and midfielder Jean Makoun (Lille).
Coach:German Otto Pfister signed a three-year contract in October, but while the much-travelled 69-year-old will try to take the Indomitable Lions back to the summit of the African game in Ghana, his principal mission is to build a competitive side for the 2010 World Cup.
English Premier League Players:Andre Bikey (Reading), Geremi (Newcastle), Alexandre Song (Arsenal).
One to Watch:Samuel Eto'o has been in net-bulging form with Barcelona since returning from a four-month injury lay-off and the 26-year-old, who top-scored in Egypt two years ago, will be confident of adding to his tally of 25 international goals.
Verdict:Semi-finals.
SUDAN
For the next few weeks Sudan will at last be in the news for something other than the humanitarian crisis in Darfur after they qualified for the Nations Cup for the first time in 32 years. And the 1970 winners, who finished above Tunisia in qualifying, may cause an upset or two. The squad consists entirely of players from Al Hilal and Al Merreikh, Sudan's two leading club sides. No one would be more deserving of success than coach Mohamed Abdallah who has been working without pay since 2004.
Coach:Former Sudan captain Mohamed Abdallah was Otto Pfister's assistant at Al Merreikh last season, as well coaching the national team for free. He has an opportunity to show the German just how much he has learned when Sudan entertain Cameroon on January 30th.
One to Watch:Al Merreikh captain Faisal Agab is the star of Sudanese soccer and finished as the top scorer in the 2008 Nations Cup qualifiers, netting six goals in as many games.
Verdict:Quarter-finals.
ZAMBIA
The country's chances of progressing beyond the group stage for the first time since 1996 appear slim after several leading figures failed to make the squad.
While German-based duo Moses Sichone and Andrew Sinkala are injured, former Portsmouth striker Collins Mbesuma was dropped after being accused of carrying too much weight. Veteran defender Elijah Tana has also been axed having failed to attend a training camp.
The Chipolopolo were full of optimism when a 3-1 win in South Africa sealed qualification, but with so many players missing it will be hard to re-produce that kind of performance.
Coach:A member of the Zambia side that reached the semi-finals in 1982, Patrick Phiri was assistant coach in 1998 and 2000 and has impressed since taking the hot seat 18 months ago.
One to Watch:Brondby forward Chris Katongo is his country's captain and leading marksman. After his superb hat-trick against South Africa in October, the pacy 25-year-old, currently on extended leave from the Zambian army, was rewarded with a promotion from corporal to sergeant.
Verdict:Fourth in the group
Group D
TUNISIA
There will be a fresh look about the Carthage Eagles in Ghana as coach Roger Lemerre bloods a new generation of promising talent.
The former France boss has opted for 12 domestic-based players, including seven from African Champions League winners Etoile du Sahel, leaving space for just five survivors from the triumphant 2004 squad. Two of them, Radhi Jaidi and Karim Haggui, remain first-choice centre backs, but Brazilian-born striker Francileudo Santos, who top-scored four years ago, is coming under serious pressure from wonderkid Yasine Chikhaoui.
Coach:After guiding France to Euro 2000 glory, French man Roger Lemerre, (66), became a hero on the other side of the Mediterranean when he masterminded Tunisia's solitary Nations Cup win in 2004.
English Premier League Players:Radhi Jaidi, Mehdi Nafti (both Birmingham).
One to Watch:A tall, strong forward blessed with fine technique, Yasine Chikhaoui has excelled at FC Zurich following his transfer from Etoile du Sahel last summer. Already being closely watched by leading clubs, the 21-year-old could become one of the tournament revelations.
Verdict:Semi-finals.
SENEGAL
Senegal's so-called golden generation have failed to deliver since arriving on the scene in such eye-catching fashion in 2002.
Tony Sylva, Pape Bouba Diop, El Hadji Diouf and Henri Camara were all part of the side that reached the Nations Cup final six years ago, before stunning France on their way to the World Cup quarter-finals.
Since then, though, the Lions of Terranga have continually disappointed their fans who are still waiting to celebrate a major honour - for certain players this tournament might represent their final chance.
Coach:Henryk Kasperczak is preparing for a fifth Nations Cup, having previously coached Côte d'Ivoire, Tunisia, Morocco and Mali. The 61-year-old Pole has so far had a positive impact, overseeing a run of nine games without defeat in 2007.
English Premier League Players:Habib Beye and Abdoulaye Faye (both Newcastle), Ibrahima Sonko (Reading), Pape Bouba Diop (Portsmouth), Diomansy Kamara (Fulham), Henri Camara (West Ham), El Hadji Diouf (Bolton).
One to Watch:Mamadou Niang has always had pace and skill, but this season the Marseille striker has found consistency as well. If Senegal's recently- crowned player of the year strikes up an understanding with El Hadji Diouf, opposition defences may be in trouble.
Verdict:Quarter-finals.
SOUTH AFRICA
Bafana Bafana have struggled badly at recent Nations Cups and Ghana is unlikely to bring a change in fortune. Carlos Alberto Parreira was appointed last January to try to piece together a competitive side for 2010 when South Africa host the World Cup, and the former Brazil coach has opted for a highly experimental squad.
Regulars Delron Buckley, Bradley Carnell, Benni McCarthy and MacBeth Sibaya have been discarded, leaving German-based winger Sibusiso Zuma, and Premier League duo Aaron Mokoena and Steven Pienaar as the only established names.
Coach:A World Cup winner in 1994, Carlos Alberto Parreira has taken on an almighty task with the side ranked 77th in the world. Results were poor in 2007 and the 64-year-old will be under pressure if his youthful team flop here.
English Premier League Players:Aaron Mokoena (Blackburn), Steven Pienaar (Everton).
One to Watch:Orlando Pirates midfielder Teko Modise has been an instant hit since making his senior debut last May, scoring five times in 12 appearances. Relatively unknown a year ago, the 25-year-old has emerged as the linchpin in Parreira's team.
Verdict:Fourth in group.
ANGOLA
The Black Panthers have failed to qualify from the group stage in their first three attempts, but they could run one of the top two teams close this year.
Coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves has kept faith with 16 members of the squad that represented Angola at a World Cup for the first time 18 months ago, and their growing experience is an advantage.
Veteran midfield duo Andre and Figueiredo remain the side's heartbeat, while in attack Flavio is supported by Manchester United's latest signing Manucho.
Coach:Luis Oliveira Goncalves guided the nation's Under-20 side to the African title in 2001 and has been nurturing that same generation to great affect ever since. The 49-year-old Angolan took charge of the senior set up in December 2003.
English Premier League player:Manucho (Manchester United).
One to Watch:Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was determined to sign Manucho before the tall, powerful striker had a chance to showcase his talent in Ghana. The 24-year-old has finished top-scorer in the Angolan league for the past two years, but is yet to fire on the international scene.
Verdict:Third in group.
