Every AFCON 2021 nation profiled – likely top scorers and tournament favourites

Egypt, Cameroon and Senegal will be among those trying to take Algeria’s AFCON crown from away from them as Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang attempt to fire their countries to continental glory

Riyad Mahrez and Algeria will be aiming to defend their Africa Cup of Nations crown over the coming weeks.

The Manchester City star helped powered his country to continental success back in 2019.

On that occasion it was Senegal and Sadio Mane who fell short in the final and they will be hoping to go one step further this time round.

Mane’s Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah will be aiming to win the first international honour of his career.

Egypt, the continent’s most successful nation, did win three successive tournaments from 2006 to 2010, but last made the final in 2017.

Ivory Coast and Cameroon are also among the favourites, with the latter hosting the competition.

Back in 2012, Zambia shocked the continent, claiming glory after a penalty shootout, and another surprise champion is not out of the question.

A host of Premier League stars have jetted off to assist in their country’s efforts, including Liverpool’s attacking duo, Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, whose Arsenal future is unclear.

We bring you the lowdown ahead of the opening game this evening.

Have Your Say! Who do you think will win the Africa Cup of Nations? Tell us your prediction here.

Group A

Burkina Faso

Manager: Kamou Malo

Star man: Bertrand Traore

Best finish: Runners-up (2013)

Cameroon

Manager: Antonio Conceicao

Star Man: Andre Onana

Best finish: Winners (1984, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2017)

Cape Verde

Manager: Bubista

Star Man: Garry Rodrigues

Best finish: Quarter-finals (2013)

Ethiopia

Manager: Wubetu Abate

Star Man: Shemeles Bekele

Best finish: Winners (1962)

Group B

Guinea

Manager: Kaba Diawara

Star Man: Naby Keita

Best finish: Runners-up (1976)

Malawi

Manager:

Star Man: Charles Petro

Best finish: Group stage (1984, 2010)

Senegal

Manager: Aliou Cisse

Star Man: Sadio Mane

Best finish: Runners-up (2002, 2019)

Zimbabwe

Manager: Norman Mapeza

Star Man: Marvelous Nakamba

Best finish: Group stage (2004, 2006, 2017, 2019)

Group C

Comoros

Manager: Amir Abdou

Star Man: Said Bakari

Best finish: N/A (tournament debutants)

Gabon

Manager: Patrice Neveu

Star Man: Pierre Emerick-Aubayemang

Best finish: Quarter-finals (1996, 2012)

Ghana

Manager: Milovan Rajevac

Star Man: Thomas Partey

Best finish: Winners (1964, 1965, 1978, 1982)

Morocco

Manager: Vahid Halilhodzic

Star Man: Achraf Hakimi

Best finish: Winners (1976)

Group D

Egypt

Manager: Carlos Quieroz

Star Man: Mo Salah

Best finish: Winners (1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010)

Guinea-Bissau

Manager: Baciro Cande

Star Man: Mauro Rodrigues

Best finish: Group stage (2017, 2019)

Nigeria

Manager: Augustine Eguavoen

Star Man: Kelechi Iheanacho

Best finish: Winners (1980, 1994, 2013)

Sudan

Manager: Burhan Tia

Star Man: Ali Abu Ashreen

Best finish: Winners (1970)

Group E

Algeria

Manager: Djamel Belmadi

Star Man: Riyad Mahrez

Best finish: Winners (1990, 2019)

Ivory Coast

Manager: Patrice Beaumelle

Star Man: Maxwel Cornet

Best finish: Winners (1992, 2015)

Equatorial Guinea

Manager: Juan Micha

Star man: Emilio Nsue

Best finish: Fourth (2015)

Sierra Leone

Manager: John Keister

Star Man: Steven Caulker

Best finish: Group stage (1994,1996)

Group F

Gambia

Manager: Tom Saintfiet

Star Man: Ebrima Darboe

Best finish: N/A (tournament debutants)

Mali

Manager: Mohamed Magassouba

Star Man: Amadou Haidara

Best finish: Runners-up (1972)

Mauritania

Manager: Didier Gomes Da Rosa

Star Man: Guessouma Fofana

Best finish: Group stage (2015)

Tunisia

Manager: Mondher Kebaier

Star Man: Hannibal Mejbri

Best finish: Champions (2011)

Tournament favourites

Algeria 6/1

Egypt 7/1

Senegal/Ivory Coast 8/1

Top scorer odds

Mo Salah 10/3

Sadio Mane 13/2

Riyad Mahrez 8/1

Sebastien Haller 11/1

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