Group A: Equatorial Guinea, Congo, Gabon, Burkina Faso
The 2015 Africa Cup of Nations is finally here, with host nation Equatorial Guinea, Congo, Gabon and Burkina Faso set to battle it out in Group A.
Equatorial Guinea:
Having earned their place at AFCON 2015 as host nation following Morocco's surprise withdraw just a few months before the tournament's start, Equatorial Guinea will be hoping for a strong showing in the group stages as they look to secure at least a place in the first knockout rounds.
The 2015 Africa Cup of Nations is finally here, with host nation Equatorial Guinea, Congo, Gabon and Burkina Faso set to battle it out in Group A.
Equatorial Guinea:
Having earned their place at AFCON 2015 as host nation following Morocco's surprise withdraw just a few months before the tournament's start, Equatorial Guinea will be hoping for a strong showing in the group stages as they look to secure at least a place in the first knockout rounds.
National Thunder are in desperate need of a turnaround in form, though, having won just two of their last 10 international matches, while six of those ended in defeat.
However, with a new coach in Esteban Becker and an entire nation roaring the team on, Equatorial Guinea may just find the spark they need to shock more than a few critics, and opponents, along the way.
Congo:
Congo booked their place at this year's showpiece after finishing as runners-up in qualifying Group A, where they overcame defending champions Nigeria and Sudan to qualify behind group winners South Africa.
The Red Devils put in some sterling performances along the way, starting off with their 3-2 success over the Super Eagles, while they also lost just two of their six qualifiers, going down at home against Bafana Bafana before Nigeria exacted their revenge with a 2-0 win in Congo.
They would, however, have to wait until the final round of qualifying to assure their place in Equatorial Guinea, with their 1-0 win against Sudan completing the double over the Falcons of Jediane while also ensuring they finished above Nigeria.
Gabon:
Gabon will enter this year's AFCON showpiece on the back of a convincing qualifying campaign, where they finished top of Group C with an undefeated record, winning three and drawing three of their six matches.
Jorge Costa's men will now be looking to take that form into the tournament proper, where they will be hoping to make up for their failure to qualify for the 2013 installment.
Burkina Faso:
Burkina Faso head to Equatorial Guinea knowing they have the quality to make a genuine run at the title, having progressed to the final in 2013, only to lose 1-0 to Nigeria.
Paul Put's men will now be looking to go one step further in 2015, although they were unable to secure top spot in qualifying after finishing as runners-up, behind their AFCON Group A rivals Gabon, who finished one point clear at the top.
The Burkinabes will also be out for revenge against Gabon, have lost 2-0 in their first qualifying encounter, while they were only able to secure a 1-1 draw in the return fixture at home.
However, with a new coach in Esteban Becker and an entire nation roaring the team on, Equatorial Guinea may just find the spark they need to shock more than a few critics, and opponents, along the way.
Congo:
Congo booked their place at this year's showpiece after finishing as runners-up in qualifying Group A, where they overcame defending champions Nigeria and Sudan to qualify behind group winners South Africa.
The Red Devils put in some sterling performances along the way, starting off with their 3-2 success over the Super Eagles, while they also lost just two of their six qualifiers, going down at home against Bafana Bafana before Nigeria exacted their revenge with a 2-0 win in Congo.
They would, however, have to wait until the final round of qualifying to assure their place in Equatorial Guinea, with their 1-0 win against Sudan completing the double over the Falcons of Jediane while also ensuring they finished above Nigeria.
Gabon:
Gabon will enter this year's AFCON showpiece on the back of a convincing qualifying campaign, where they finished top of Group C with an undefeated record, winning three and drawing three of their six matches.
Jorge Costa's men will now be looking to take that form into the tournament proper, where they will be hoping to make up for their failure to qualify for the 2013 installment.
Burkina Faso:
Burkina Faso head to Equatorial Guinea knowing they have the quality to make a genuine run at the title, having progressed to the final in 2013, only to lose 1-0 to Nigeria.
Paul Put's men will now be looking to go one step further in 2015, although they were unable to secure top spot in qualifying after finishing as runners-up, behind their AFCON Group A rivals Gabon, who finished one point clear at the top.
The Burkinabes will also be out for revenge against Gabon, have lost 2-0 in their first qualifying encounter, while they were only able to secure a 1-1 draw in the return fixture at home.
By: Farai Diza
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