TEAMS AT THE TOURNAMENT AND THEIR STAR PLAYERS
GROUP A
Equatorial Guinea
Home support and a “flexible” recruitment policy – their football federation have a notoriety for assimilating players with marginal connections to the country – can get you only so far. Likely to struggle even if they squeeze out of the group.
Star: Javi Balboa, striker
Gabon
With the speed of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang up front, Gabon have the capacity to hurt any opponent on the break. But their Cup of Nations pedigree is limited, as is that of Jorge Costa, their new Portuguese coach.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, striker
Burkina Faso
Caused a sensation at the last tournament where they valiantly reached the final after beating Ghana – and some dreadful refereeing – in the semi. Les Etalons have the same coach, Paul Put, and the same resilient spine to their side.
Jonathan Pitroipa, winger
Congo
It has been a while since Congo reached a Cup of Nations, but they arrive with a handsome feather in their caps after having contributed substantially to knocking out the holders, Nigeria. Coach Claude Le Roy is an old hand.
Thievy Bifouma, striker
GROUP B
Zambia
The 2012 champions have come down to earth these past three years. Eliminated in the first round two years back, a return to Equatorial Guinea, where the tournament they won was co-hosted, may inspire them.
Kennedy Mweene, goalkeeper
DR Congo
DRC sneaked into the final 16 qualifiers as the best third-placed qualifier and have worries over the form of some senior players. Encouragingly, coach Florent Ibenge guided the AS Vita Club to the latest African Champions League final.
Yannick Bolasie, winger
Cape Verde
The rise of tiny Cape Verde hit a hitch when they were disqualified from the play-offs for the Brazil World Cup, but following their 2013 maiden Cup of Nations appearance with another finals shows their momentum remains.
Platiny, midfielder
Tunisia
The North Africans came close to reaching the last World Cup finals. Since winning the Cup of Nations they hosted in 2004, they have often disappointed, lacking flair and apparently ambition. They should be well organised, tactically.
Aymen Abdennour, defender
Group C
Ghana
Three semi-finals and a runners-up medal from the past four editions of the Cup of Nations are beginning to make Ghana look jinxed, or suspect under pressure. New coach Avram Grant must find a formula to best use the plentiful talent.
Asamoah Gyan, striker
Algeria
Ranked top in Africa according to Fifa, Algeria have come on since their flat showing in South Africa two years ago. An accomplished, confident World Cup showing and far greater aptitude in their goalscoring have helped.
Islam Slimani, striker
Senegal
Unhappy memories of Equatorial Guinea for the Senegalese, who entered the 2012 tournament much fancied and finished bottom of their group. Their potential remains high, given the attacking verve in the squad.
Mame Biram Diouf, striker
South Africa
Having come unscathed through a tough qualifying group, South Africa’s bad luck is to land in the toughest group at the finals. Highly motivated to honour Senzo Meyiwa, their young captain and goalkeeper, who was shot dead in a burglary last October.
Sibusiso Vilakazi, striker
Group D
Ivory Coast
Les Elephants have the longest memories of heartbreak. So often the favourites, so often stymied. Didier Drogba has retired from internationals, Kolo Toure will do next month and Yaya Toure is close. Now or never, at least for that pair.
Yaya Toure, midfielder
Mali
Nobody takes on Mali without concerns. They have skill and leadership, though the loss of Cheikh Diabate, the striker, with a knee problem, reduces their attacking potency. Reached the semi-finals in the past two tournaments.
Seydou Keita, midfielder
Cameroon
Once the leading emissaries for African football, they have become its enigmas. After the squabbling and thrashings at the World Cup seven months ago, the Lions have ditched some totemic players and hope for dressing-room calm as a result.
Nicholas Nkoulou, defender
Guinea
The health crisis within the country meant home matches in qualifying being played a long way from Conakry, but Guinea still earned their ticket. Will be considered outsiders in this group, but know they carry the hopes of a beleaguered people.
Kevin Constant, midfielder
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