 Cameroun
Lions indomptables
The Indomitable Lions are every bit as good as they were two years ago, and if anything are a little better. The players are the same as those who won in Ghana and Nigeria, but with the benefit of more experience.
|
|
|
Zambie
Chipolopolo
Zambia have become a permanent fixture at the Nations Cup finals, but have lost their status as potential contenders. Kalusha Bwalya`s retirement after 15 years with the team leave a hole they are still struggling to fill.
|
|
|
Togo
Eperviers
Togo are at last achieving some kind of consistancy and are turning into Nations Cup regulars.They can count on a growing list of professionals who are playing their trade in Europe.
|
|
|
Maroc
Lions de L´atlas
Four years ago, Morocco were going places. At France `98, with Mustapha Hadji at the height of his powers, the Atlas Lions played some of the silkiest football.
|
|
|
Egypte
Les pharaons
With stalwarts like veteran striker Hossam Hassan, Hani Ramzy and goalkeeper Nader el Sayed reaching the twilight of their careers, Egypt have had to bring new and younger players into their squad.
The most exciting is Ajax Amsterdam striker Ahmed Hossam, who is already being labelled the new Hassan.
|
|
|
Tunisie
aigles de carthage
In Henri Michel, Tunisia seem to have finally landed the coach they have long been looking for. A veteran of three World Cups, two with African teams, he has the knowledge and experience to give Tunisia the success they crave in Japan and Korea.
|
|
|
Nigeria
Green Eagles
The Super Eagles are again among the big favourites, and could have been playing as reigning champions if cameroon didn´t beat them in their own country.
|
|
|
Afrique du sud
Bafana Bafana
Bafana Bafana`s Nations Cup record is short but impressive.
Whether they can match those previous performances depends largely on the players that make it to Mali.
|
|
|
Cote d´ivoire
Elephants
Ten years after lifting the trophy, Ivory Coast are far from being in title-winning form. For many of the players, the price of failure is etched firmly in the memory.
|
|
|
Ghana
Black Stars
Ghana`s reputation as one of Africa`s footballing powers is in sharp decline. Many Ghanaians themselves doubt the team`s ability to get through the first round.
|
|
|
Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso are the underdogs in what looks like the toughest group of the tournament. But their philosophical coach Oscar Fullone won`t see that as a disadvantage.
|
|
|
Mali
Aiglons
Mali have the chance to show if their quality at U17 and U20 level has made a difference to their senior squad. Many of the players were in the team that took 3rd place at the U20 World Cup in 1999.
|
|
|
RD Congo
Simbas
Congo Kinshasa are blessed with talent but plagued by disorganisation. They have shown flashes of brilliance in recent years, particularly at Burkina `98, but the overall trend is still downhill.
|
|
|
Libéria
Libéria
It has been an extraordinary 12 months for Liberia. As well as qualifying for only their second Nations Cup, a place at the World Cup was on the cards until Nigeria beat them to it by a single point.
|
|
|
Algérie
Algérie
Since winning the trophy at home in 1990 with their inspirational captain Rabah Madjer, Algeria have gone off the boil.
The civil war which began that year is much to blame.
|
|
|
Sénégal
Lions
Senegal`s wins against World Cup hosts Japan and South Korea in the build-up to Mali 2002 says much about the ambition of the Lions.
They are definitely the team of the moment, and feel they are going places.
|
|
|
