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Since its inception in 1957, the Africa Cup of Nations has grown to become one of the most popular football competitions globally. This year’s edition is expected to follow the traditional suspense-like characteristics during matches till the coronation hour.
Fourteen teams (14) join co-hosts Equatorial Guinea and Gabon for the tournament scheduled for 21 January to 12 February, 2012. The roll call of teams includes three teams who will be making their debut; co-host Equatorial Guinea, Botswana and Niger.

Despite the absence of traditional big guns such as holders Egypt, Cameroon, Nigeria, Algeria and South Africa; the presence of top ranked teams like Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Senegal, Tunisia among others makes up for the no-show of the former.
This year’s tourney is historic is diverse angles; the first time in Central Africa since 1972 in Cameroon, the last edition in an even year as                                                                                                                              well as first timer co-hosts. Ghana and Nigeria, who co-hosted in 2000 had each staged the competition at least once before.

As usual, West Africa has the biggest number of participants; seven (Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Senegal). The Southern African zone has three teams in Angola, Botswana and Zambia while Libya, Tunisia and Morocco constitute the North African force.

Central Africa has two representatives in co-hosts Equatorial Guinea and Gabon with Sudan being the lone ranger from the Central-East zone.
Also, the finest of African football talents will be on display. Continental icons such as Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Didier Zokora (Cote d’Ivoire), Andre Ayew and Asamoah Gyan (Ghana), Demba Ba, Papiss Dema

Cisse, Mamadou Niang (Senegal), Adel Taraabt, Mehdi Benatia (Morocco), Oussama Darragi, Karim Haggui, Issam Jemaa (Tunisia), Pascal Feindouno (Guinea), Seydou Keita, Modibo Maiga (Mali), Moumouni

Dagano, Charles Kabore (Burkina Faso), Collins Mbesuma (Zambia) will be seeking to guide their team to lift the most sought after trophy in African football.
Bata, the economic capital of Equatorial Guinea will host the opening match while the Gabonese capital, Libreville hosts the grand finale. — Cafonlie.com.