Algeria begins title defence as giants square off
Wednesday will be a day of contrasts as defending champion Algeria begins its Africa Cup of Nations title defence against a Sierra Leone side returning to the competition after a 26-year absence.
Algeria will be unequivocal favourite as it looks to begin Group E in positive fashion, with Djamel Belmadi's men unbeaten in 34 competitive matches.
Its success in last month's Arab Cup contributed to that run and provided part of a squad with a solid period of preparation.
But the biggest game of the day will take place between Group D rivals Nigeria and Egypt, who will both be hoping to make early statements in their respective title bids.
Algeria v Sierra Leone, 11.50pm beIN 1
It is déjà vu for Sierra Leone having faced Algeria in its only previous AFCON meeting, in 1996.
But AFCON stalwart Algeria will be massive favourite here as it begins its 19th participation in the tournament, aiming to become the first team to win back-to-back titles since Egypt's three in a row between 2006 and 2010.
Few will envy the task on Sierra Leone's hands, with Algeria having scored more goals (19) in qualifying than any of the 24 teams in Cameroon.
If it avoids defeat, Algeria will beat its previous best unbeaten run (eight matches) at the AFCON.
One to watch: Said Benrahma (Algeria)
The Fennec Foxes' squad is packed full of experience and quality, with as many as five players boasting double-figures for international goals. West Ham star Benrahma is yet to establish himself among their key players, but this season has found another level in the Premier League, his nine non-penalty goal involvements being bettered by only seven forwards.
Nigeria v Egypt 2:50pm, beIN 1
On paper, Group D looks very tough to call – this encounter could at least give us an idea of who is likeliest to finish top.
Either way, this is a proper heavyweight duel between two of the AFCON's most-recognisable nations.
This will be Egypt's 25th appearance at the AFCON, more than any other country, and it is aiming to win it for a record-extending eighth time.
But Nigeria's pedigree is similarly impressive given the fact it has reached the semi-finals in 14 of the previous 16 tournaments.
If Nigeria does emerge victorious, it will end Egypt's 16-match group stage unbeaten run, which dates back to 2004.
One to watch: Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
Obvious? Perhaps. Justified? Absolutely. Many would argue Salah has been the best player in the world over the past year, and so he has high expectations to meet here. No other player in Carlos Queiroz's squad has more than seven international goals and despite only being 29, he's at least four years older than any other forward in the selection – and let us not forget, he already has 25 Premier League goal involvements this season, 12 more than anyone else.
Sudan v Guinea-Bissau 5:50am, beIN 1
Sudan will be hoping it is a happy return to Africa's biggest tournament as it prepares for a first outing since the 2012 edition.
Ending a run of no clean sheets in the competition since beating Ghana 2-0 in the 1970 final would certainly go along way to giving them a platform to build on over the next month.
Since that success 52 years ago, Sudan have only picked up three wins from a possible 13, but they will not head into the fixture scared of Guinea-Bissau, even though they lost to them 4-2 as recently as September.
Baciro Cande's men have finished bottom in each of their previous two AFCON appearances and go into this game without a goal in 437 minutes in the competition, the worst goalless run of this year's participants.
One to watch: Mohamed Abdelrahman (Sudan)
The Falcons of Jediane will be pinning most of their hopes on striker Abdelrahman, who scored a third of their nine goals in the qualification campaign.
