Ahead of Saturday's big kick-off in the AFCON read our guides for each of the 16 participating nations.
Equatorial Guinea and Gabon are preparing to welcome the 14 other countries set to contest the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. The two African neighbours may not exactly be stand-out countries on the spectacular continent in terms of financial stability, but both carry a rich history and attract global interest for various reasons. So take a moment to broaden your horizons and read our comprehensive guides for each of the 16 participating nations.
CLICK THE NAME OF EACH COMPETING NATION TO READ FULL PREVIEWS.
GROUP A
Equatorial Guinea: As a footballing nation Equatorial Guinea have barely cast even a shadow on the global stage, but considering their first match as a competitive team took place just over 36 years ago, the Central African minnows have indeed come quite far.
Libya: Libya is situated in North Africa and is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Sudan to the southeast, Egypt to the east, Chad and Niger to the south, as well as Algeria and Tunisia to the west. The Mediterranean Knights' qualification for the 2012 African Cup of Nations was no small feat given the nation's recent civil war
Senegal: One of the most enduring memories of the 2002 World Cup was provided by Senegal when they shocked the football world by beating World and European champions France in the tournament opener. The Lions of Teranga, in their first-ever World Cup appearance, would go on to produce a string of accomplished performances.
Zambia: If Zambia's footballing credentials were rated solely on their performances on the global stage, the landlocked country would struggle to get as much as an honourable mention. Just last year the Southern Africans plumbed new depths, registering their lowest ever FIFA ranking of 101.
GROUP B
Ivory Coast: Africa's top-ranked side enter the event as strong favourites, boasting global icons in Yaya Toure and Chelsea hitman Didier Drogba. The Elephants have, however, struggled under the burden of heavy expectation, stumbling in the first round of the 2010 World Cup, and suffering a quarter-final exit in the previous Africa Cup of Nations.
Sudan: Once a potentially promising outfit, Sudan's progress on the international stage has been severely hampered by an unstable socio-economic climate and civil unrest. For more than five decades the country has been plagued by ethnic, religious and economic strife.
Burkina Faso: Burkina Faso's national football team were known as Upper Volta until 1984. They are nicknamed The Stallions and their home ground is the Stade du 4-Août. The country is located in West Africa and share a border with Mali, Niger, Benin, Togo, Ghana and Ivory Coast.
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