The 28th African Cup of Nations will take the centre stage on the 21st January of 2012 without some African heavyweights due to their inabilities to qualify.
Even without their presence, the biannual soccer showpiece, which makes countries standstill due to its popularity, is eagerly anticipated by soccer fans all over the continent.
Out of the sixteen countries that would participate in the tournament, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea are hosts while the remaining 14 countries joined from the qualifying rounds. Countries like Cameroon, Nigeria, Algeria and defending champions, Egypt were denied the opportunities of featuring in the 28th edition of African’s most prestigious event. Only five former champions made the finals this time around, a number less than the previous edition in Angola in 2010.
However, with the absence of Cameroon, Nigeria, Algeria and defending champion, Egypt, analysts are tipping top FIFA-ranked African team, Cote d’Ivoire to lift the trophy because of the avalanche of world class players in the Team, who ply their football trade in big clubs in Europe.The presence of Chelsea duo of Didier Drogba and Salomou Kalou, Manchester City’s Yaya and Kolo Toure, Arsenal’s Gervinho, will no doubt send panic to any team, not only in Africa, but also around the world.
Though the Ivorians are the team to beat, they have not been able to get to the finals in the last two editions. In Ghana 2008, they were eliminated in the semi-final by eventual winners, Egypt by 1-4 scoreline, while in Angola 2010; they were eliminated by Algeria in the quarter-final 2-3. 
Ivory Coast last won the trophy in 1992 in Senegal. They won the title at the expense of rivals Ghana, following a memorable post match penalty shoot-out that ended 11-10. Ivorian goalkeeper, Alain Gouamene, was the hero of that day. The ‘Elephants’ as they are finally called by their teaming fans will have their hands full. Ghana, Senegal and Morocco would seek to upset them.
Ghana is however the second favourite. The dominance of its triumphant Under 20 players that won the 2009 FIFA World Cup in Egypt adds to their credential. Ghana is among the teams at the tournament that has the most number of titles, four in total, apart from Egypt. It also proved to be a force to be reckoned with in African football, as it was the only team that kept the continent’s flag flying up to the quarter-final stage of the first ever World Cup held on African soil in South Africa in 2010. 
With the absence of top players like Chelsea’s Michael Essien and injured Asamoah Gyan; Ghana would count on the wealth of experience from Sulley Muntari, John Mensah and promising youngster in the newly crowned  2011 BBC African player of the year, André Ayew. 
The team last won the title in 1982 in Tripoli when they defeated Libya 7-6 on penalties. That was the competition that marked the beginning of the career of Ghanaian legend, Abedi Pele, whose son Andre Ayew, will be on parade with The Blacks Stars of Ghana. Although, they have not done well in recent time since the exit of former Bolton Wanderers and Liverpool winger, El-Hadji Diouf, but with the array of stars churning out good performance in their various clubs, Senegal remains a force to reckon with.
Senegalese strikers are some of the  most sort-after in Europe. Doe Sow of Lille was African highest goal scorer both in Europe and the French Ligue 1 in 2010/11, while Demba Ba of Newcastle is presently one of the hottest strikers in the English Premier League. He is presently the second highest goal scorer with 15, behind Arsenal’s Robin Van Persie who has scored 17. Apart from that, Senegal shocked the world in 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan when nobody gave them a chance to emerge from a group that has defending champions, France. They stunned France by a lone goal in the group stage and went further to qualify ahead of them. Senegal was eventually eliminated in the quarter-final by semi-finalist, Turkey.
Morocco and Tunisia are the other top teams to watch. While the former remains a force in African football in the past, the later was the host and champions in 2004.
There could be some surprises considering the emergence of some perceived underdog countries. Niger is one of the teams. They emerged from the group that has Egypt and South Africa. Others are Botswana, Guinea, who qualified ahead of Nigeria.
History will also be made in this year’s tournament when three countries would be playing their first-ever African Cup of Nations finals. They are co-hosts Equatorial Guinea, Niger, which emerged from a group that had Egypt and South Africa, and Botswana - the surprised first finisher from group K and the only group that had five teams.
Also, this is the first time five former winners will not participate in the tournament. Egypt, winners of the last three editions, and other previous winners, Nigeria, Algeria, South Africa and Cameroon would also be absent.
Meanwhile, experts and players have been speaking on the team that is likely to lift the trophy on the last day. Arsenal and Ivorian international, Gervinho believes the tournament will not be easy but is optimistic that his team can do it, considering the way they finished the qualifying round without conceding a point.
Ghanaian midfielder, Michael Essien thinks otherwise. He has tipped his country as favourites to win the Cup of Nations. The Chelsea midfielder believes that the Black Stars have the right mix of experience and new blood to go all the way. 
“This team knows how to play at tournaments and nearly made the semi-final at the last World Cup. They are a proper unit and play for the nation and that is why I fancy them to make the final and probably win it.” Essien also included Mali and Senegal as surprise packages. 
However, Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi does not believe that the Black Stars of Ghana can win the trophy. He claimed that the team lack experience because of lack of big names,  but Ghana’s assistant coach, Kwesi Appiah does not believe that. He said in as much as he respects the Nigerian coach’s opinion, his statement will challenge the players to play above themselves and prove that big names do not play football but talent and ability on the pitch.
Newcomers, Botswana is hoping to send shock waves. Playing in a group which has been named a ‘group of death’ alongside Ghana, Mali and Guinea, the Zebras are hoping to write bookmakers wrong by progressing to the second round. 

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