*PRIZE MONEY
The winner of the 2021 edition of AFCON in Cameroon is to pocket $5million (an increase of $500,000) while the runner-up gets $2.75million (increase of $250,000). The losing semi finalists will also smile home with $2.2million (increase of $200,000). For the quarter finalists, it is a consolation prize of $1.175million (increase of $175,000).
*FORMAT
For the second successive tournament, the Africa Cup of Nations is having 24 participants.
That means six groups of four, with the top two qualifying for the last 16 alongside the four best-ranked third-placed sides.
*TIME
Matches are going on at 13:00, 16:00 and 19:00 (all times GMT) during the group stages, with the two latter kick-off times being used in the knockout stages from Sunday, 23 January.
*CONTENDERS
-Cup Holders Algeria
It is hard to look past holders Algeria, who are on a 34-match unbeaten run and led by Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez.
-Sadio Mane and Senegal
Sadio Mane’s Senegal, Africa’s top-ranked side for the past three years, were runners-up in 2019 and among the main challengers.
-Mo Salah and Egypt
Record seven-time champions Egypt boast arguably the best player in the world right now in Mohamed Salah, who has shone for Liverpool this season.
-Ghana and Nigeria
Ghana and Nigeria are among the continent’s most successful countries but had unconvincing 2022 World Cup qualification campaigns, while Cameroon – chasing their sixth Nations Cup title – will fancy their chances on home soil.
-Mali
Mali could be a surprise package after reaching the World Cup play-offs by going unbeaten despite being stripped of home advantage.
-CIV, Morocco and Tunisia
Ivory Coast, Morocco and Tunisia are among the other former champions present and, at the other end of the spectrum, Comoros and The Gambia are first-time qualifiers.
-Super Eagles
Nigeria’s harvest of 15 podium appearances in 18 participations in the Africa Cup of Nations is the highest tally in Africa’s flagship football championship. The only times they ended without any form of medal were in their debut in 1963, in Libya 40 years ago and in Ghana 14 years ago. They have won the trophy three times (1980, 1994 and 2013), finished as runners-up four times (1984, 1988, 1990 and 2000) and picked up the bronze medals eight times (1976, 1978, 1992, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2019).
*COVID
-If the result of the Covid-19 PCR test of any player is positive, such player will not be authorized to go to the stadium or participate in the applicable match.
-A team that does not have a minimum of eleven (11) players available will be considered to have lost the match 0-2.
*VAR
Video Assistant Referees (VAR) will be used at all 52 matches of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations for the first time.
The 2019 edition in Egypt only saw the technology introduced from the quarter-finals by the organisers, the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
CAF selected 24 referees, 31 assistant referees and eight video assistant referees from 36 countries for the tournament in Cameroon, with Rwandan referee Salima Mukansanga among four female officials.
