Reason 2 - Political Intrigue & Débutantes
Egypt, current holders and seven time winners are the surprise omissions of
this years tournament. After last years "Arab Spring Revolutions" which saw regime changes in Tunisia, Libya and in Egypt, the former two nations, despite the domestic upheaval just managed
to qualify for the CAN as runners up.
Domestic leagues in both Tunisia & Libya were suspended duing the
upheaval and it will be interesting to see how both nations fare in their first major tournament since both countries experienced political change.
This years CAN also feature 3 nations making their first appearance at
an African Nations; Botswana, Niger and Equatorial Guinea (who qualify as joint hosts) although its improbable that any of the three
teams will make it out of the group stages, with the possible exception of
Eq. Guinea being in the weaker of their respective groups.
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