GROUP A
Mali, Henri Kasperczak, runner-up (1972)
Nicknamed the Eagles, the host team benefits from Polish coach
Henri Kasperczak's experience with Morocco, Tunisia and Ivory
Coast. But it will be hard-pressed to reach the second round
against experienced Algeria and Nigeria.
Liberia, George Weah, first round (1996)
Former FIFA player of the year George Weah is Liberia's coach as
well as being its star player, but the 35-year-old forward is
winding down his career. Liberia narrowly missed beating Nigeria
for a spot in the World Cup, although its lack of organization
could hamper success in the African Cup.
Algeria, Rabah Madjer, champion (1990)
Algeria won the African Cup at home in 1990 under Madjer's
captaincy but has since failed to shine. Key striker Rafik Saifi
plays at French first-division Troyes, while fellow forward Abdel
Hafid Tasfaout is also based in France, playing for Guingamp.
Nigeria, Amodu Shaibu, champion (1980, 1994)
Nigeria won Olympic gold at Atlanta in 1996, becoming the first
African nation to win a major global tournament. The Super Eagles
are led by Arsenal forward Nwankwo Kanu, a two-time African player
of the year. They are one of five African teams qualified for the
World Cup.
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GROUP B
South Africa, Carlos Queiroz, champion (1996)
Nicknamed Bafana Bafana, South Africa marked its return to the
international arena in the post-apartheid era by winning the
African Cup on home soil in 1996. The side qualified for the 1998
and 2002 editions of the World Cup and is second in FIFA's ranking
of African countries.
Burkina Faso, Jacques Yameogo, fourth (1998)
Jacques Yameogo took over as coach after Argentine Oscar Fullone
was fired a week before the tournament's start. The Stallions are
the underdogs of their group.
Morocco, Humberto Coelho, champion (1976)
Pipped for a spot in the World Cup by Senegal, the Atlas Lions
exited the last African Cup in the first round. Despite the likes
of Deportivo's Noureddine Naybet and Fulham's Abdesslam Ouaddou,
the team is far from the form it displayed at France '98.
Ghana, Fred Osam-Duodu, champion (1963, 1965, 1978, 1982)
Osam-Duodu coached the Black Stars to victory in 1978 but the
team's days as an African soccer powerhouse appear to be over and
some doubt whether it will get past the first round.
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GROUP C
Cameroon, Winfried Schafer, champion (1984, 1988, 2000)
The defending champion followed up its African Cup success by
winning gold at the Sydney Olympics. The Indomitable Lions then
qualified for their fourth straight World Cup and fifth overall.
Schafer, a German, was appointed as coach in September.
Congo, Watunda Iyolo, champion (1968, 1974)
Monaco striker Shabani Nonda, one of the leading scorers in the
French championship, will spearhead the Simbas' African Cup
campaign. The national side has a reputation for lack of
organization but Congo could surprise its fellow group members.
Togo, Bana Tchanile, first round (1972, 1984, 1998, 2000)
The Hawks are banking on a string of European-based players to
make it past the first round for the first time. But their chances
look slim against on-form Cameroon and unpredictable Congo.
Ivory Coast, Bamba Lama, champion (1992)
Marseille's top scorer this season, Ibrahim Bakayoko, is the
Elephants' star player. Ten years since lifting the trophy for the
first and only time, Ivory Coast is in search of stability after a
series of coach changes.
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GROUP D
Egypt, Mahmoud el-Gohari, champion (1957, 1959, 1986, 1998)
The winningest team in the African Cup, along with Ghana, Egypt
has lost much of its former glory. Coach el-Gohari is set to walk
away from the job for the fifth time in 14 years once the
tournament ends.
Senegal, Bruno Metsu, fourth (1965, 1990)
The Lions nearly beat co-host and eventual runner-up Nigeria in
the last African Cup. Last year, Senegal secured its first ever
World Cup berth. The team's leading scorer is 21-year-old El Hadji
Diouf, one of a number of Senegalese players based in France.
Zambia, Roald Poulsen, runner-up (1974, 1994)
With two World Cup teams and four-time champion Egypt in the
same group, Zambia's hopes of reaching the second round look slim.
Midfielder Gift Kampamba, who plays for South African team
Sundowns, is the side's star player.
Tunisia, Henri Michel, runner-up (1965, 1996)
The fifth African team qualified for the World Cup, Tunisia is
coached by former France and Morocco trainer Henri Michel. The
Carthage Eagles head FIFA's rankings for the continent, but face
tough first-round matches against Senegal and Egypt.
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