Group B: Zambia, Tunisia, Cape Verde, DR Congo
The diversity of the African continent is an aspect which is often taken for granted, especially by its inhabitants. The sheer size of the continent and the lack of infrastructure have limited the opportunities for those living in the various regions to interact, even though tense rivalries still exist.
The battle for economic and cultural superiority has never waned and during January of 2015, those regions will have yet another opportunity to lock horns, during Africa's football showpiece.
From a regional perspective, Group B is as diverse as any that will feature at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations and that is likely to fuel the intense rivalry and competition which exists between the various regions of the continent.
The diversity of the African continent is an aspect which is often taken for granted, especially by its inhabitants. The sheer size of the continent and the lack of infrastructure have limited the opportunities for those living in the various regions to interact, even though tense rivalries still exist.
The battle for economic and cultural superiority has never waned and during January of 2015, those regions will have yet another opportunity to lock horns, during Africa's football showpiece.
From a regional perspective, Group B is as diverse as any that will feature at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations and that is likely to fuel the intense rivalry and competition which exists between the various regions of the continent.
Sub-Saharan Africa will be represented by Zambia, north Africa and the Arab world will be represented by Tunisia, West Africa - albeit rather loosely - will have Cape Verde Island flying the flag while Central Africa's charge for continental glory will be spearheaded by the Democratic Republic of Congo.
None of the nations represented here are to be trifled with on the football field and not one of those nations should expect smooth passage to the quarter-final stage of the tournament.
Zambia:
The history of Zambian football at the Africa Cup of Nations has been a fascinating one. Prior to their successful campaign in 2012, Chipolopolo had failed to advance past the group phase of the tournament on seven occasions. Worse still, they have failed to qualify for six tournaments in the past. Following the successful campaign at Gabon 2012, it would appear that Zambia's old habits have returned.
Just two years later, Zambia are 78th in the FIFA World Rankings and they are fresh off a failed World Cup qualifying campaign. The onus is now on the Southern African nation to prove to itself and the football fraternity that 2012 was not a flash in the pan and that Zambia are still a force to be reckoned with in continental competition.
Zambia finished second in qualifying Group F, where they accumulated 11 points in the six matches played. The irony of it all is that they recorded fewer defeats than the Cape Verde, who finished at the top of that group.
Tunisia:
It seems almost unjust that Tunisia, who conquered the African continent in 2004, have won this tournament just once. The Eagles of Carthage came agonisingly close to lifting the title in 1996 and deserved better than fourth position in 2000.
Tunisia are currently the third ranked team in Africa and 31st in the world. They are still football giants, a fact which was highlighted by the presence of two Tunisian clubs, out of eight, during the group phase of the 2014 CAF Champions League.
Of the 26 players who were selected by head coach Georges Leekens for the Africa Cup of Nations preliminary squad, 11 were based in Tunisia. This merely highlights the faith which has been placed in local talent ahead of this year's campaign and is a strong indicator, if ever one was needed, that Tunisia have never had trouble with self-belief.
The North Africans went undefeated during their qualifying campaign and finished one point clear of a dangerous looking Senegal in Group G.
Cape Verde:
Cape Verde were among the first two teams to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations and there has never been any doubt that they deserved to be the winners of Group F after a rigorous qualifying campaign. An aspect about Cape Verde which is often taken for granted, and sometimes even ignored, is that they are currently the fourth ranked team in Africa.
The only nations ahead of them are Algeria, the Ivory Coast and Tunisia, whom they will play in Group B. The Blue Sharks have not had overwhelming success in African competition in the past, having first secured passage to the continental showpiece at South Africa 2013.
In the context of what has transpired during the past 12 to 18 months, the statistic is rather baffling. Nevertheless, under the tutelage of head coach Rui Aguas, the small island nation is increasingly starting to show they have what it takes to square off against the best.
DR Congo:
Like many of the football nations in this group, the Democratic Republic of Congo have a fascinating tale to tell ahead of this year's tournament. The Leopards were the best third-placed finishers during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign last year.
At first glance, it would appear they produced a rather ordinary qualifying campaign. However, it needs to be noted that the Central African nation was forced to compete against a resurgent Cameroon and the mighty Ivory Coast during Group D qualifying. To have walked away with three wins in that group was highly commendable and their efforts have subsequently been rewarded.
None of the nations represented here are to be trifled with on the football field and not one of those nations should expect smooth passage to the quarter-final stage of the tournament.
Zambia:
The history of Zambian football at the Africa Cup of Nations has been a fascinating one. Prior to their successful campaign in 2012, Chipolopolo had failed to advance past the group phase of the tournament on seven occasions. Worse still, they have failed to qualify for six tournaments in the past. Following the successful campaign at Gabon 2012, it would appear that Zambia's old habits have returned.
Just two years later, Zambia are 78th in the FIFA World Rankings and they are fresh off a failed World Cup qualifying campaign. The onus is now on the Southern African nation to prove to itself and the football fraternity that 2012 was not a flash in the pan and that Zambia are still a force to be reckoned with in continental competition.
Zambia finished second in qualifying Group F, where they accumulated 11 points in the six matches played. The irony of it all is that they recorded fewer defeats than the Cape Verde, who finished at the top of that group.
Tunisia:
It seems almost unjust that Tunisia, who conquered the African continent in 2004, have won this tournament just once. The Eagles of Carthage came agonisingly close to lifting the title in 1996 and deserved better than fourth position in 2000.
Tunisia are currently the third ranked team in Africa and 31st in the world. They are still football giants, a fact which was highlighted by the presence of two Tunisian clubs, out of eight, during the group phase of the 2014 CAF Champions League.
Of the 26 players who were selected by head coach Georges Leekens for the Africa Cup of Nations preliminary squad, 11 were based in Tunisia. This merely highlights the faith which has been placed in local talent ahead of this year's campaign and is a strong indicator, if ever one was needed, that Tunisia have never had trouble with self-belief.
The North Africans went undefeated during their qualifying campaign and finished one point clear of a dangerous looking Senegal in Group G.
Cape Verde:
Cape Verde were among the first two teams to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations and there has never been any doubt that they deserved to be the winners of Group F after a rigorous qualifying campaign. An aspect about Cape Verde which is often taken for granted, and sometimes even ignored, is that they are currently the fourth ranked team in Africa.
The only nations ahead of them are Algeria, the Ivory Coast and Tunisia, whom they will play in Group B. The Blue Sharks have not had overwhelming success in African competition in the past, having first secured passage to the continental showpiece at South Africa 2013.
In the context of what has transpired during the past 12 to 18 months, the statistic is rather baffling. Nevertheless, under the tutelage of head coach Rui Aguas, the small island nation is increasingly starting to show they have what it takes to square off against the best.
DR Congo:
Like many of the football nations in this group, the Democratic Republic of Congo have a fascinating tale to tell ahead of this year's tournament. The Leopards were the best third-placed finishers during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign last year.
At first glance, it would appear they produced a rather ordinary qualifying campaign. However, it needs to be noted that the Central African nation was forced to compete against a resurgent Cameroon and the mighty Ivory Coast during Group D qualifying. To have walked away with three wins in that group was highly commendable and their efforts have subsequently been rewarded.
By: Farai Diza
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