Group B preview

A tough group to call, but Nigeria and Ivory Coast should progress to the knock-out stages.

Super Eagles and Elephants to battle for top spot

A tough group to call, but Nigeria and Ivory Coast should progress to the knock-out stages if they play to their potential. Benin will be playing for pride and it would be a huge shock if they were to make the quarter-finals. Mali have performed well in the competition in the past and could spring a surprise if they manage to take points off either of the big two. Here is an in depth breakdown of the sides in Group B.

BENIN

Benin are making just their second African Cup of Nations appearance and failed to clear the first hurdle during their first taste of the tournament back in 2004. It appears unlikely that they will better that performance from four years ago this time around after being drawn in a tough group. Midfielder Romvald Boco plays his football for League Two side Accrington Stanley, but 13 other members of their squad are on the books of various other clubs across Europe. One to watch: Razak Omotoyossi. The striker joined Helsingborg from Moldovan club FC Sheriff in 2007 and scored 14 goals in 23 games to make him the joint top scorer in the Swedish Allsvenskan. He has also grabbed six in six games in this season's Uefa Cup putting him joint top of the goal scoring charts along with Henrik Larsson and Luca Toni. Squad: Valere Amoussou (Mogas 90), Rachad Chitou (Wikki Tourists), Yoann Djidonou (Red Star) Abdul Adenon (ASEC Abidjan), Anicet Adjamossi (Creteil), Damien Chrystosome (Casale), Alain Gaspoz (FC Bagnes), Achille Rouga (Stade Rennes), Noel Seka (FC Fyn), Bio A Traor (Panthres Djougou) Jocelyn Ahoueya (FC Sion), Romauld Boco (Accrington Stanley), Djiman Koukou (Soleil FC), Mouri Ogunbiyi (Etoile Sahel), Jonas Oketola (unattached), Stephane Sessegnon (Le Mans), Sosthne Soglo (Energie FC), Seidath Tchomogo (East Riffa) Abou Maiga (Creteil), Wassiou Oladipikpo (JS Kabylie), Razak Omotoyossi (Helsingborg), Abdoulaye Ouzrou (Al Jazeera), Oumar Tchomogo (Portimonense)

IVORY COAST

Champions in 2002, the Ivory Coast also finished runners-up to Egypt in 2006 and are expected to feature in the final shake-up once again this time around. A strong squad features six English-based players in Emmanuel Eboue, Kolo Toure (both Arsenal), Abdoulaye Meite (Bolton), Didier Zokora (Spurs), Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou (both Chelsea). The Elephants will also be able to call on the services of other big names such as Barcelona's Yaya Toure and the dangerous Lens striker Arouna Kone. One to watch: Didier Drogba. The Chelsea striker won the Premeir League golden boot last season after netting 20 times in a largely unforgettable season for the Blues. Drogba is his country's captain and talisman and his form over the past two seasons means that he is once again expected to be one of the stars of the tournament. Squad: Boubacar Barry (Lokeren), Tiasse Kone (Africa Sports), Stephan Loboue (SpVgg Greuther Furth), Arthur Boka (VfB Stuttgart), Constant Djakpa (Pandurii Targu Jiu), Emmanuel Eboue (Arsenal), Steve Gohouri (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Abdoulaye Meite (Bolton Wanderers), Kolo Toure (Arsenal), Marc Zoro (Benfica), Emerse Fae (Reading), Christian Koffi Ndri (Le Mans), Siaka Tiene (St Etienne), Gneri Yaya Toure (Barcelona), Didier Zokora (Tottenham Hotspur), Aruna Dindane (Racing Lens), Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Salomon Kalou (Chelsea), Abdul Kader Keita (Olympique Lyon),