For the first time in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, there will be 24 teams battling it out for the coveted title of African champions.
This will be the 33rd edition of the competition. While the number of participants has risen from 16 to 24, some are there to make up the numbers as well as the true title contenders.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that defending champions Algeria head the list of favorites after an impressive run in 2019 where they beat Senegal in the final.
In the qualifiers, they topped Group H with 14 points to book their ticket to Cameroon where they are drawn in Group E alongside another African giant, Cote d’ I more.
Algeria has retained some of the players on duty in Egypt. They are led by their experienced captain, Riyad Mahrez, who is currently on fire in England on the books of log leaders, Manchester City.
The Fennec Foxes have not been beaten since October 2018 and recently lifted the Arab Cup to further boost their confidence ahead of the 2021 AFCON.
They scored 25 goals in six world cup qualifiers but they will have to be on the lookout for Senegal who is looking to lift their first title after several attempts, including finishing as runners-up in the last edition.
The Lions of Teranga matched into qualification without losing a match, registering four wins and two draws.
With their red hot striker, Sadio Mane of Liverpool, and Chelsea goal minder Edouard Mendy, they are surely one of the sides to watch in Cameroon.
Nigeria is another nation that should not be overlooked, having won the tournament three times in 1980, 1994, and 2013, including being losing finalists on five occasions.
Nigeria will head into the challenge with a new and interim manager, Augustine Eguavoen, who will face the task of guiding the team to their fourth AFCON title.
He led the Super Eagles to third place as a manager back at AFCON in 2006.
With the new coach in charge, the likes of midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, striker Kelechi Iheanacho (both of Leicester City, England), Everton’s Alex Iwobi, Taiwo Awoniyi of Union Berlin in Germany, and Frank Onyeka who is on the books of Brentford, will be looking to impress as they attempt to win their fourth title.
The West African giants open their campaign in Group D against seven-time champions, Egypt, on Tuesday.
The Pharaohs failed to lift the trophy on home soil in 2019 and the appointment of new coach Carlos Queiroz of Portugal could bring back the inspiration they need to win their eighth title.
They can also call upon one of Africa’s biggest exports and captain, Mohamed Salah, who has been setting the scene alight in England for Liverpool.
They, however, did not do well in the recent Arab Cup, and only managed to finish in third place but they will surely be looking to put that performance behind them and focus on the business at hand.
Another side that has the nation in huge anticipation ahead of the tournament in Morocco.
The Atlas Lions have been in fine form over the last few months with a world cup qualifying record of six wins in six matches, scoring 20 goals and conceding only one in the process, a strong indication of a very well-balanced team.
Despite being without key players who have been omitted from the final squad, they are still a force to be reckoned with in the tournament.
Cote d’Ivoire is another side not short of talents but has failed to impress in recent times. They will not be going to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar after being knocked out and perhaps they could use that as motivation to do well in Cameroon.
The Elephants are one of the sides that boast of a large contingent of players based overseas and that experience could come in handy.
They have only lifted the trophy once back in 2015.
The wait for AFCON 2021 is almost over as hosts Cameroon face Burkina Faso in the opening match on Sunday.
Ethiopia will take on Cape Verde and the peak of Monday’s match will see Senegal clash with Zimbabwe, while Morocco have a date with the Black Stars of Ghana.
Defending champions, Algeria, meet Sierra Leone on Tuesday, while there is a massive Group D clash between Nigeria and Egypt.
