The chilpolopolo of Zambia can be tagged the big boys in Pot 3. They are on a 19th AFCON participation.

The 2012 African champions were group G leaders during this year’s AFCON qualifiers.

Zambia displayed a slapstick performance in last year’s tournament in Côte d’Ivoire. The former Kk 11 first appeared in the AFCON in 1974.

The palancas negras of Angola have never won the nations cup though tipped tittle contenders in their past 9 trips. Angola was in group F first on the way to Morocco for a 10th AFCON presence.

They were on a feisty mood in Côte d’Ivoire 2023 unfortunately booted out at the quarter finals.

Gabon’s prime voyage to the AFCON was in 1994. The panthers will be on a 9th journey to the showdown in December. Gabon hosted the event in 2017 when Cameroon won. In 2021 , the panthers crashed at the round of 16 at next door neighbour Cameroon, that was their last occasion.

In 2019, Uganda got a historic 40 year wait victory over democratic republic of Congo when Egypt hosted the competition.

They could only manage a round 16 finish that year and haven’t featured at the showpiece again.

The cranes will be attending for an 8th time in Morocco after a comfortable second place in group K campaign.

The national thunder stormed the elephants in the previous AFCON. Equatorial Guinea were tournament’s dark horses though pulled off the race by Nigeria’s super eagles.

The Nzalang National national will be on 5th appearance at the continental football bonanza, having finished 2015 semi finalists.

The squirrels are the Jaw droppers in the pot. They only began attending the AFCON in 2004.

In 2019, they sent Morocco to a sickbay hitting a rich vein of form against the Atlas lions to reach the quarters.

Benin will be on a 5th inconsistent participation at the Africa cup of nations.

The above mentioned teams have the required strength to impose themselves in what ever groups they will be found.

Romeo Nkenyi (Intern)