GROUP B
Ghana
Democratic Republic of Congo
Mali
Niger
This group looks deceptively straight forward. It is anything but.
If we install four-time champions Ghana as outright favourites to finish top, billing their talent and the strides they have made in the last few years warrant, then the squabble for second place could be a very interesting one.
Many pundits will tip Ghana and Mali to progress to the knock-out phase, but the 'favourites' will do well not to underestimate the Democratic Republic of Congo. The manner of the Leopards' qualification - 7-0 aggregate over Seychelles in the first round followed by a 5-2 aggregate over Equatorial Guinea - means their claims cannot be flippantly dismissed.
In Claude Le Roy the Leopards will have the most experienced coach at the tournament. A wily tactician and astute student of the African game, the Frenchman will be taking charge of a national team at an AFCON tournament for the seventh time.
Can the DRC add to their 1968 and 1974 titles? That is highly unlikely, but they sure could just be the team to write the Cinderella Story of the tournament.
Ghana go to South Africa as one of the pre-tournament favourites. The Black Stars have the benefit of consistency of selection and could reap the rewards of a young team that is starting to mature. After losing in the semi-finals to eventual champions Zambia in 2012, Ghana will hope to go all the way and few will bet against them.
Mali are not a team to be trifled with. The Eagles have been there and thereabouts in previous tournaments - losing finalists in 1972 and most recently claiming bronze after beating Ghana in the third and fourth play-off in 2012.
This will be Niger's second successive appearance at an AFCON tournament after making their debut in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. The best Menas can hope for is to improve on their previous showing after losing all three of their group matches in 2012.
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