The Idiot's Guide To The AC Of N

What is the African Cup Of Nations?
The African Cup Of Nations is a biennial tournament and has been since 1968. It is the continent's version of the European Championships or the Copa America. Since 1998, 16 teams have competed in the tournament and will do so again in the 2008 event. The tournament will run for approximately three weeks, the first game will be on January 20 and the final will be held on February 10. Ghana will host this year's competition.

Some Interesting Stats
Egypt dominate the history of the African Cup Of Nations. They have played in a total of 20 tournaments, hosting four of them and winning five, and go into this tournament as reigning champions. The 'Super Eagles' Nigeria have something of a reputation of choking when it comes to the big games. They have reached a massive 12 semi-finals but they have only managed to go on and win the tournament twice. This year they are under the management of the ill-fated former Scotland boss Berti Vogts. Cameroon and Barcelona star striker Samuel Eto'o is bidding to become the all-time record goalscorer in African Nations Cup History, currently standing on 11 goals, just three behind present record holder, the Ivorian Laurent Pokou.

What To Expect From Ghana 2008
Apart from the ever-charismatic fans and the obvious sweltering heat, on the field this year promises to be the best African Cup of Nations yet. With a host of players earning a living in Europe and no fewer than 40 Premiership players taking part, the standard of football should be top notch. Inevitably though, whipping boys will still exist due to the developing standard of African football. Lowly Benin will have it tough on only their second appearance in the finals.

How Will It Effect The Premier League?
Chelsea will be badly effected with many key players travelling to Ghana. Michael Essien, Didier Drogba, John Obi Mikel and Salamon Kalou will be missing for Avram Grant's men. Arsenal will also suffer, losing inspirational centre-back Kolo Toure and all-round bad egg Emmanuel Eboue. Much has been made of the tournament being staged in the middle of the European season. Harry Redknapp has often moaned about the timing, given that he will lose five key players for a month. Quite why he is complaining given that he bought most of them is unclear.

Everton are also going to be effected, losing Yakubu, Joseph Yobo and Steven Pienaar. Only Derby, Man City and Aston Villa have chosen to avoid the mid-season chaos by signing players from elsewhere.

Where Do I Know Him From?There will be a few blasts from the past for English fans as well as some players from the lower leagues representing their countries.

Ex-Spurs striker Frederic Kanoute will turn out for Mali, as will Stoke City powerhouse Mamady Sidibe. Former Middlesborough forward Joseph Desire-Job will be representing Cameroon, as will Timothee Atouba, also formerly of Spurs. Veteran defender Rigobert Song will also be playing for Cameroon - the burly centre-back was once of Liverpool. Ex-Charlton defender and free-kick specialist Talal El-Karkouri will be in Ghana, he will be turning out for Morocco. Coventry man Yousef Safri is also very much in the picture for Morocco. Senegal's right-back Ferdinand Coly had a rather uneventful and brief spell with Birmingham City.

Keep An Eye On...
Arouna Kone (Ivory Coast) - Electric striker Kone is now plying his trade with UEFA Cup holders Sevilla after they beat competition from all over the continent to sign him in the summer. The pacy frontman will be looking to form a deadly partnership with Chelsea hitman Didier Drogba en route to lifting the trophy.

Manucho (Angola) - This will be the first chance for many British fans to see the new Manchester United man in action. Alex Ferguson has described him as a "a tall, agile, quick forward". Only time will tell...

Nasief Morris (South Africa) - Agile centre-back Morris has raised the attention of clubs across Europe with his impressive displays in the UEFA Cup for Panathaniakos. This will be another opportunity to put himself in the shop window.

The Big Guns
Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon and Barcelona) - One of Africa's finest exports, Samuel Eto'o has been a household name in Spain and now Europe for a few years, with his electric pace and an extraordinary eye for goal he hasfirmly established himself as one of the best strikers in the world. He needs four goals to be the record goalscorer in African Nations Cup history.

Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast and Chelsea) - Signed from Marseille in 2004, Drogba is simply a handful. A combination of strength, skill and control makes him too hot to handle for most defences. No doubt that he will relish coming up against some inexperienced defenders from the lesser nations. It will be interesting to see what club he is at when the next ACN comes around.

Michael Essien (Ghana and Chelsea) - The Black Stars' lynchpin midfielder Essien will take the captaincy for home nation Ghana because of injury to Fenerbache star Stephen Appiah. The BBC African Footballer of the year will be carrying the hopes of a nation as they bid to be the third hosts in succession to lift the trophy.

Drama?
What would African football be without a bit of drama? Well this year is no exception. Mamady Sidibe makes a surprise return to the fray for Mali after been involved in a serious attack after his previous outing against Togo. Steven Pienaar has been involved in a high-profile club vs country row, with South Africa the eventual victors. Also the Nigerian preparations were thrown into turmoil when boss Berti Vogts threatened to quit just two weeks before the tournament began due to delays in paying wages. The former Scotland boss also laid into the authorities, slamming the organisation of Nigerian football.

The 2008 African Cup Of Nations can be seen live on BBC Three and SKY Channel Eurosport.