With domestic leagues on a Christmas break, attention has shifted firmly to the Africa Cup of Nations AFCON, which gets underway on Sunday, 21 December, with hosts Morocco opening the tournament against Comoros.
This years competition is widely viewed as one of the most unpredictable in recent memory.
While traditional heavyweights such as Egypt, Cameroon and Ivory Coast bring pedigree and continental experience, the overall balance across groups suggests there are no clear favourites, reflecting the growing depth and competitiveness of African football.
