The 34th iteration of the Africa Cup of Nations gets underway on January 13, with Senegal looking to defend the title they won for the first time in 2022.

AFCON has been a bi-annual event since its 1957 inauguration, rendering the competition a more common phenomenon than the World Cup and European Championships. AFCON’s frequency, however, does not reduce its significance.

The upcoming tournament was originally scheduled for the summer of 2023, but adverse weather conditions in the Ivory Coast forced its postponement.

A litany of nations will be vying to dethrone Senegal once the 2023 tournament gets underway, with a number of countries believing they have a legitimate shot at glory.

Nigeria

Best AFCON finish: Winners (1980, 1994, 2013)

2021 AFCON finish: Last 16

No team at AFCON will boast more attacking firepower than Nigeria. The Super Eagles have Victor Osimhen, the best goal getter in the Italian Serie A last season, Victor Boniface, Ademola Lookman Samuel Chukwueze and Kelechi Iheanacho to call upon in the Ivory Coast.

Such talent renders the three-time winners a distinct threat, but they’ve disappointed at major tournaments since their last AFCON triumph in 2013.

Some have also called into question the competence of manager Jose Peseiro.

Ivory Coast

Best AFCON finish: Winners (1992, 2015)

2021 AFCON finish: Last 16

Ivory Coast may no longer possess superstars such as Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure, but they’ll be hoping that their home advantage will spearhead a successful campaign.

They haven’t progressed beyond the quarter-finals at AFCON since winning the competition for a second time in 2015.

However, this Ivory Coast squad is as balanced as it’s been in a while. Emerging stars such as Simon Adingra, Ousmane Diomande, and Odilon Kossounou should complement Franck Kessie and Sebastien Haller’s experience.

The hosts will be expected to progress alongside Nigeria from Group A, and it’ll be an intriguing battle for top spot.

Egypt

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

The Pharaohs are the most succesful team in the continental showpiece and will still pose a serious threat to any opponent.

Senegal

Best AFCON finish: Winners (2021)

They have a tough task to make history by succesfully  defending the title. The team enjoys a ray of world class talent and ar capable of stopping any side in the event.

Morocco

Best AFCON finish: Winners (1976)

Currently regarded as the best team in Africa, going by their form, The Atlas Lions will be desperate to end their close to five decades drought of continental title and they have what it takes to win the event.