African Cup of Nations 2002: Team Guide

ALGERIA

Algeria's Desert Warriors were the 1990 ACON winners. Critics say the Warriors have been going downhill eversince and could be one of the early casualties of Mali 2002. They could pull a surprise though.

An equalising goal by Nasseredine Kraouche deep into injury time kept Algeria's hopes alive at the Nations Cup in Mali.

Algeria names its 22-strong squad for the African Nations Cup in Mali, starting on January 19.

BURKINA FASO

Considered the underdogs in probably the toughest group (B) of the tournament, Burkina Faso may not go far in Mali. But coach Oscar Fullone remains optimistic.

Burkina Faso's Football Federation has blasted the national team for refusing to play in a World Cup qualifier in a row over bonuses.

Burkina Faso confirmed their squad for Mali 2002, leaving out star player Mohammed Zongo.

CAMEROON

As defending champions, the Indomitable Lions are clearly one of the hottest favourites of Mali 2002. No doubt, they will put in all to keep their place.

Indomitable Lions striker Samuel Eto'o Fis said German coach Winfred Schafer is the key to Cameroon's good outing at next year's World Cup finals.

CONGO KINSHASA

With the requisite organisation, Congo Kinshasa could pull a few surprises this year. The Simbas have a solid reputation for talent and power.

Democratic Republic of Congo's key player, striker Shabani Nonda, returned to Mali to rejoin his team after recovering from flu.

The Democratic Republic of Congo nearly missed the 2002 African Nations Cup in Mali after angering world governing body FIFA.

Fifa allowed DR Congo to play international matches again after Kinshasa re-instated sacked football federation vice-president Constant Omari.

EGYPT

The Pharaohs are said to have a solid core of upcoming youngsters. They are unlikely though, critics contend, to make it to the quarter finals in a tough group.

Egypt gave their African Nations Cup campaign a boost with a 2-0 victory over Ghana in a friendly in Ismailia.

Veteran striker Hossam Hassan was included in Egypt's 22-man squad for the African Nations Cup.

GHANA

Ghana's Black Stars were the 1978 ACON winners. Their reputation as one of Africa's footballing powers is however said to be in sharp decline. They are still a side to watch.

Ghana's Black Stars said they will have no problems qualifying for the quarter-finals in an impernding match against Burkina Faso.

Ghana's Samuel Kuffour was named BBC African Player of the Year. He beat Sierra Leone's Mohammed Kallon and Senegal's El Hadj Diouf to the coveted title.

BBC African Footballer of the year, Samuel Osei Kufuor was named in the Black Stars of Ghana’s list for the African Cup of Nations.

IVORY COAST

Though blessed with many good players, morale among The Elephants have been going downhill for the past few years. Critics say it is unlikely that they could far in Mali.

Ivorien defender Abdoulaye Meité will miss the African Nations Cup due to a fractured shin injury.

LIBERIA

George Weah's Lone Stars have been doing very well over the past year. They nearly made it to the World Cup finals, losing it by a single point to Nigeria. They are not expected to make it past the first round. But who knows?

One of the biggest stars in the histroy of African football could well be playing his last ever international match on Monday.

As coach and star of Liberia's national soccer team and as a benefactor to legions of his countrymen, George Weah is described as 'a rare ray of hope in a poor and violent place.'

Lone Stars coach George Weah selected his squad for the Cup of Nations, but it did not include captain Joe Nagbe.

MALI

Under experienced coach Henri Kasperczak, and the benefit of home support, hosts Mali may prove a difficult team to beat. They certainly cannot afford an early exit.

Mali bank on Europe-based players for African Nations Cup African Nations Cup hosts Mali named 18 Europe-based players in a 23-strong squad for the tournament.

As the clock ticked towards the 2002 Nations Cup finals, many Malians continued to grumble about the millions of dollars being spent on the event.

How 1971 African Footballer of the Year and ex-minister Salif Keita helped develop football in his native Mali.

MOROCCO

Morocco's Atlas Lions have lost a great deal of sparkle in recent years. Coach Humberto Coelho may need a miracle to deliver.

Morocco's coach Humberto Coelho dropped midfielder Mustapha Hadji and goalkeeper Khalid Fouhami from his Nations Cup squad.

Moroccan international Talal El-Karkouri announced he would not be going to the African Nations Cup.

NIGERIA

Nigeria's Super Eagles are certainly among the big favourites, in spite of recent setbacks. With big names like Kanu, Oliseh, Okocha and West, the Super Eagles are a side to watch.

At as January 1, only eight out of Nigeria's national team of 30 players had turned up for a training camp before the African Nations Cup.

SENEGAL

Considered the "team of the moment" morale among the Senegalese Lions is said to be at an all-time high. They are clearly among the tournament's top favourites.

Senegalese Football Federation president El hadj Malick Sy travels to France to negotiate with players threatening to strike and boycott Mali 2002 over World Cup bonuses.

African football experienced a tragic year in 2001 with stadium tragedies in Ghana and South Africa. The Lions' surprise qualification for the World Cup is hailed as much needed light in a year of darkness.

Senegal's players lifted a threat to boycott the African Nations Cup in Mali, according to radio reports. The players had threatened to boycott the tournament over a bonus payment row.

Senegal's squad was confirmed by coach Bruno Metsu, and the Lions looked very strong.

SOUTH AFRICA

1996 ACON winners Bafana Bafana have an impressive record. While missing out on certain major strikers, Coach Carlos Queiroz's boys are a team to watch.

South Africa's players reacted angrily to newspaper allegations that there is a major race rift in the Bafana Bafana camp.

Bafana head coach Carlos Queiroz warns Bafana Bafana players selected to play in Mali to be present for the final preparations.

Cape Argus writer Ian Sadler opines that winning the African Nations Cup finals in Mali will need a titanic effort from South Africa's national squad.

Shaun Bartlett, Bafana Bafana's leading goal-scorer and captain, stands the risk of being suspended from all football for at least five weeks, over his refusal to participate in the African Cup of Nations.

Bafana Captain Shaun Bartlett finally flew out to join his teammates ahead of the African Nations' Cup finals in Mali, despite initially withdrawing from the squad.

TOGO

Never having made it past the first round, Togo's Hawks may not be flying high in Mali 2002 either. But who knows, coach Gbana Tchanile may just pull a few surprises.

Togo coach Gbana Tchanile named his final 22 for the African Nations Cup.

Togo selected their squad for African Nations Cup finals.

TUNISIA

Tunisia is number on on Fifa's African rankings. With an experienced coach in Henri Michel, the Carthage Eagles are clearly a side to watch.

Tunisia's coach Henri Michel left out Brazilian-born midfielder Adailton from his 22-man squad for Mali 2002.

Tunisia dropped striker Adel Sellimi after he refused to join the squad for a friendly in Spain ahead of the African Nations Cup finals.

ZAMBIA

Sharing a group with Tunisia, Senegal and Egypt, Zambia's getting into the quarter-finals looks close to impossible. The Chipolopolo may lack the advantage of another Kalusha Bwalya.

Injury forced experienced striker Mwape Miti to drop out Zambia's squad for the Nations Cup finals in Mali.

Zambia lost another key player, midfielder Andrew Tembo from Danish club Odense, ahead of the African Nations Cup when he suffered a muscle injury during a practice match in Lusaka.