Besides Mali, all the teams in this group have ever won the Africa continental champions. Nevertheless, The Eagles finished runners up in 1972.
Cameroon in resurgence, ever green Ivory Coast and the entertaining Guinea will all fight for the two top slots but who is likely to make it to the last eight?
Kawowo Sports’ Ismael Kiyonga takes a detailed look of each side and predicts how they will finish in the group
IVORY COAST
Nick Name: ‘Elephants’
FIFA Ranking: 28
Appearances: 21 (1965, 1968, 1970, 1974, 1980, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015)
Best Performance: Champions (1992)
Coach: Herve Renard – He returns to the region where he won the title with Zambia three years ago this time with a better side as compared to his heroes back then.
At just 46, the French man has African football experience dating back to 2008 when he first handled Zambia and was arguably signed to win the trophy for The Elephants.
Key Player: Yaya Toure – This is the right time for The CAF Glo African Footballer of the Year for a 4th time in a row to cement his among place African greats by winning the crown for his side.
On his good day, no midfielder in the world can dominate him and if he replicates his showings with Manchester City, expect the Ivorians to go far.
Prediction 1st: For the previous 5-6 tournaments, they have tipped to win the crown but disappointed. Nevertheless, they will good to finish top of the group.
CAMEROON
Nick Name: ‘The Indomitable Lions’
FIFA Ranking: 42
Appearances: 17 (1970, 1972, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2015)
Best Performance: Champions 4 (1984, 1988, 2000, 2002)
Coach: Volker Finke – He has given The Indomitable Lions a new look by giving the young lads chance and they have taken it with open hands. Can he repeat the heroics of his compatriot Wilfred Schaffer who won the title in 2000 and 2002? His newly assembled side is promising.
Key Player: Stephan Mbia – The team skipper is the most experienced man on the team with over 52 caps. His leadership will be key in guiding the youthful but talented side.
Prediction 2nd: During qualifiers, they ended the campaigns unbeaten and with a free scoring side, they are good to move out of the group.
MALI
Nick Name: ‘The Eagles’
FIFA Ranking: 49
Appearances: 9 (1972, 1994, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013 & 2015)
Best Performance: Runners Up (1972)
Coach: Henryk Kasperczak – He comes with enormous experience of African football having been at the helm of Cote d’Ivoire in 1993-1994, Tunisia 1994 -1998, Morocco 2000, Senegal 2006 – 2008 and is now enjoying second stint with Mali having coached them in 2001-2002. Whether he can guide The Eagles past the group stages, that remains t be seen but he is without doubt a top manager.
Key Player – Seydou Keita – He brings experience, calmness and leadership to the side that is looking to win their first ever African championship. He is so versatile in that he can fill the defensive and offensive midfield roles superbly and an expert at dead ball situations. If at his best, expect Mali to shock giants.
Prediction 3rd: The Eagles are unlucky to be pooled alongside Cameroon and Cote d’Ivoire and without a reliable goal scorer after Cheikh Diabete was ruled out. That will without doubt leave them short of fire power up front.
GUINEA
Nick Name: ‘National Elephants’
FIFA Ranking: 39
Appearances: 11 (1970, 1974, 1976, 1980, 1994, 1998, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2012 & 2015)
Best Performance: Champions (1976)
Coach: Michel Dussuyer – The Frenchman got the team to the finals at the expense of much fancied Togo and will without doubt ask a few questions at the tournament. They played all home games away from home but still made it thanks to Dussuyer’s all out attacking game.
Key Player – Ibrahim Traore: The creative spark in the side with a knack for scoring good goals as witnessed in the qualifiers against Ghana and Uganda. He is a dedicated lad who can lead the side past the big boys
Prediction 4th: With a defence as leaky as Guinea’s, it will be difficult to get past the free scoring Cameroon and Cote d’Ivoire and I see them finishing 4th in the group.
FIXTURES
January 20
Ivory Coast vs. Guinea – Malabo
Cameroon vs. Mali – Malabo
January 24
Guinea vs. Cameroon – Malabo
Mali vs. Ivory Coast – Malabo
January 28
Ivory Coast vs. Cameroon – Malabo
Mali vs. Guinea – Mongomo
