Sixteen teams will be battling it out to be crowned this year's Africa Cup of Nations champion over the coming weeks. Nigeria lifted the trophy in 2013 but failed to qualify for this year's tournament.
Sixteen teams will be battling it out to be crowned this year's Africa Cup of Nations champion over the coming weeks. Nigeria lifted the trophy in 2013 but failed to qualify for this year's tournament.
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CAF, and its president Issa Hayatou, banned original 2015 AFCON host Morocco from the tournament for refusing to stage the competition due to Ebola fears.
CAF, and its president Issa Hayatou, banned original 2015 AFCON host Morocco from the tournament for refusing to stage the competition due to Ebola fears.
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Mali and Algeria players hold a banner uniting against Ebola during a Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match in November.
Mali and Algeria players hold a banner uniting against Ebola during a Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match in November.
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Equatorial Guinea was named the new host, having previously co-hosted the 2012 AFCON with Gabon.
Equatorial Guinea was named the new host, having previously co-hosted the 2012 AFCON with Gabon.
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Equatorial Guinea was originally disqualified from AFCON qualifying last year for fielding an ineligible player.
Equatorial Guinea was originally disqualified from AFCON qualifying last year for fielding an ineligible player.
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Ivory Coast is considered by many to be the favorite to win this year's tournament, boasting the likes of Yaya Toure and new Manchester City signing Wilfried Bony in its squad. The Elephants last lifted the trophy in 1992.
Ivory Coast is considered by many to be the favorite to win this year's tournament, boasting the likes of Yaya Toure and new Manchester City signing Wilfried Bony in its squad. The Elephants last lifted the trophy in 1992.
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Algeria is former professional footballer Lutz Pfannenstiel's pick to win the tournament -- "It's a team that had a fantastic World Cup, a convincing qualification campaign and a team where it's hard to spot any weakness."
Algeria is former professional footballer Lutz Pfannenstiel's pick to win the tournament -- "It's a team that had a fantastic World Cup, a convincing qualification campaign and a team where it's hard to spot any weakness."
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Pfannenstiel was a German goalkeeper and played on six different continents during his career. He is currently head of scouting and international relations for German football Bundesliga club 1899 Hoffenheim.
Pfannenstiel was a German goalkeeper and played on six different continents during his career. He is currently head of scouting and international relations for German football Bundesliga club 1899 Hoffenheim.
Lutz Pfannenstiel
Pfannenstiel played for Orlando Pirates in South Africa and Namibia's Ramblers FC, while he worked as a pundit at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.
Pfannenstiel played for Orlando Pirates in South Africa and Namibia's Ramblers FC, while he worked as a pundit at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.
He feels Equatorial Guinea's stadia could present a problem -- "It will be very difficult to host a tournament with similar conditions for all teams. The government will have to put in a lot of effort just to provide at least a normal playing surface."
He feels Equatorial Guinea's stadia could present a problem -- "It will be very difficult to host a tournament with similar conditions for all teams. The government will have to put in a lot of effort just to provide at least a normal playing surface."
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"But all Africans are proud to represent their country and are honored to play at AFCON, even if they have to play on a bumpy pitch," Pfannenstiel adds. "For me that's really impressive -- when you realize how much it means to these guys to carry the flag for their country."
"But all Africans are proud to represent their country and are honored to play at AFCON, even if they have to play on a bumpy pitch," Pfannenstiel adds. "For me that's really impressive -- when you realize how much it means to these guys to carry the flag for their country."
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