After a tense few months, the day has finally arrived. The 30th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Equatorial Guinea tonight, where the continent’s finest players are gathered for a competition that usually lifts the January gloom.
Stood up by initial hosts Morocco due to a fear of the Ebola virus spreading to their country, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) sent out an SOS call to various countries, including South Africa, to step in as last minute hosts.
Equatorial Guinea, initially disqualified for using an ineligible player in the qualifiers, came to the rescue and they’ll host the continent again just three years after co-hosting with Gabon.
And it’s they who get things underway today in Bata with a clash against Congo.
Congo are coached by experienced Frenchman Claude Le Roy, who lashed out at the hosts after they had to search for hotel rooms for five members of his team due to a lack of accommodation.
The war between the two countries has begun before they even get on the pitch, which is probably a sign that the competition is going to be intriguing on and off the pitch.
A new champion will be crowned this year after Nigeria missed out on qualification.
Algeria, Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Ghana are favourites to win and end their cup droughts.
These countries are referred to as powerhouses on the continent, but they have disappointed their fans many times.
Three of the four above mentioned countries have gone over two decades without success in this competition.
Algeria, ranked number one in Africa, have already been tipped as favourites to win and are under pressure to prove why they are at the summit.
Ivory Coast have a golden generation of players who have failed again and again to lift the trophy.
They are without legendary striker Didier Drogba, but who needs him when Wilfried Bony is around?
The rebuilt Cameroon side has shown a lot of promise, going unbeaten in the qualifiers, while Ghana have a solid squad with a good mix of youth and experience.
Mali go into the competition hoping that they can reach the final after finishing third at the last two competitions.
The unpredictable Burkina Faso should be watched closely as well.
In a group with Guinea, Congo and the hosts, the 2013 losing finalists are favourites to win the group and maybe even get to the final again.
Senegal also cannot be ruled out. The 2002 finalists have a strong squad with a mean attack.
Shakes Mashaba’s Bafana side can be thrown into the hat too as dark horses. They are unbeaten since he took over and the players believe they can end years of misery by lifting the coveted trophy. With Mashaba in charge, anything is possible.
Big day for Africa's best
Stood up by initial hosts Morocco due to a fear of the Ebola virus spreading to their country, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) sent out an SOS call to various countries, including South Africa, to step in as last minute hosts.
Equatorial Guinea, initially disqualified for using an ineligible player in the qualifiers, came to the rescue and they’ll host the continent again just three years after co-hosting with Gabon.
And it’s they who get things underway today in Bata with a clash against Congo.
Congo are coached by experienced Frenchman Claude Le Roy, who lashed out at the hosts after they had to search for hotel rooms for five members of his team due to a lack of accommodation.
The war between the two countries has begun before they even get on the pitch, which is probably a sign that the competition is going to be intriguing on and off the pitch.
A new champion will be crowned this year after Nigeria missed out on qualification.
Algeria, Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Ghana are favourites to win and end their cup droughts.
These countries are referred to as powerhouses on the continent, but they have disappointed their fans many times.
Three of the four above mentioned countries have gone over two decades without success in this competition.
Algeria, ranked number one in Africa, have already been tipped as favourites to win and are under pressure to prove why they are at the summit.
Ivory Coast have a golden generation of players who have failed again and again to lift the trophy.
They are without legendary striker Didier Drogba, but who needs him when Wilfried Bony is around?
The rebuilt Cameroon side has shown a lot of promise, going unbeaten in the qualifiers, while Ghana have a solid squad with a good mix of youth and experience.
Mali go into the competition hoping that they can reach the final after finishing third at the last two competitions.
The unpredictable Burkina Faso should be watched closely as well.
In a group with Guinea, Congo and the hosts, the 2013 losing finalists are favourites to win the group and maybe even get to the final again.
Senegal also cannot be ruled out. The 2002 finalists have a strong squad with a mean attack.
Shakes Mashaba’s Bafana side can be thrown into the hat too as dark horses. They are unbeaten since he took over and the players believe they can end years of misery by lifting the coveted trophy. With Mashaba in charge, anything is possible.
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