Her big star winger, Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City, has rarely ... been squeezed in the last 24 months. But the competition's big competition, as well as the difficult conditions in Cameroon, will be a serious consideration.

Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia are the other North African countries. They are "eternal" contenders, but they have been disappointed in recent events. Morocco, in particular, has participated in recent tournaments, but it has proven that it cannot meet its expectations, at least so far.

The giants of West Africa, Ghana, Ivory Coast  and Nigeria are all previous winners with high hopes. But lately they have not been convinced.  

Nigeria fired German coach Gernot Rohr last month, giving the reins to Portugal's Jose Peseiro. Dissatisfied with her competitive situation, despite the fact that she won her group for the World Cup qualifiers.

The Cameroonian hosts were even less convincing. But their home victory over Ivory Coast  in the World Cup qualifiers in November was a huge psychological boost and has now put a weight of expectations on their shoulders. But it also gives her strong confidence.

Senegal is presented as the team with the best credentials. She was a runner-up in 2019 and has since strengthened her team, convincing several French-born footballers with Senegalese roots to join her own team.

Liverpool's Santio Mane could play a key role in helping his country to its first triumph in the Africa Cup of Nations as it is now renamed.

However, all candidates hope to avoid any cases of Covid-19, which may affect their chances. The preparation for most countries, in the last 15 days, was "hit" by players who tested positive for the coronavirus and had to be quarantined.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino was overjoyed at the opening ceremony and confident that everything would go smoothly, while his African Union counterpart, Motsepe, after addressing him as "my brother", stressed that now is the time for Cameroon and Africa to show power of the African Cup of Nations…